Jarryd Manangan
Senior Mathew Alcantara and sophomore Wilson Zeng in a boys doubles varsity match.
With the school year almost coming to an end, Mt. Eden’s badminton team serves in their last games, demonstrating hard work and determination as student athletes.
Badminton is a fast paced sport requiring endurance and mental strength, where players aim to score by hitting a shuttlecock with a racket over the net, using quick reflexes and tactical play to outmaneuver opponents.
Matches can be physically demanding and last for extended periods of time, requiring great stamina.
“Rallies, especially in singles, can get extremely long and you need to be able to push through and win the point,” said senior captain Connie Chung.
Some players prepare for their matches by doing warm-ups or listening to music.
Another captain, junior Aiden Hui, said he prepares for games by stretching and praying.
“It helps me loosen up, relax, and reminds me to breathe,” said Hui. “During a game, you’re bound to have a mental setback or feel the pressure so knowing that everything will be alright helps a lot.”
Badminton presents players with a range of challenges, both physical and mental, that can hinder their performance on the court.
“Some challenges are playing difficult and intense matches and coming up from outcomes that weren’t in my favor,” said Chung. “I overcome these by training harder in practice and being willing to practice things that are difficult.”
Senior captain Michael Lee said one of his biggest challenges was coming to terms with the fact that “there’s always going to be people better than you.” He advised athletes to accept that and use it for motivation.
Additionally, players have to balance being an athlete and a student.
“Our coach is really serious about us committing ourselves fully to our sport,” said Lee. “So it’s hard to balance everything, but I find a way to try to work on stuff during the weekends and even during practice.”
Mt. Eden badminton prides itself on its teamwork and sense of family. Meeting for practice almost everyday, sometimes even during break, the team of over 30 students has grown close.
“Since my freshman year, it’s changed my athletic career and life for the better, knowing I have people I can rely on and talk to whenever, they’ll have my back,” said Hui. “We’re a team sport for a reason, and being on this team means you’re part of a family.”