Badminton Experiencing Exciting Growing Pains

When Barrington’s badminton Coach Ted deBruin started coaching the sport 12 years ago, it was hard to envision the program ever moving beyond the stigma of being considered a hobby or backyard sport. But now deBruin sees some really talented participants and is optimistic about the team's success.

“I’m really loaded with good players this year,” deBruin said of the 10 varsity players out of 32 total team members representing the different levels that make the squad.  “When I first started we wouldn’t cut anyone that tried out for the team; this year we had 62-tryout for the team, but unfortunately we had to cut 30.”

The Fillies coach believes that a combination of good steady play and some luck could bring some buzz to the sport.

“We are playing in one of the toughest conferences in the state for badminton but many of those schools graduated seniors,” said deBruin.  “Three of the top ten teams that competed at state last year were from the MSL [Mid Suburban League].”

With the door potentially open for Barrington to become conference contenders, deBruin believes his savvy senior captains (Hanna Gross, Maddie Johnson and Sydney Slager) will help lead the team through any rough patches that develop during the season and hopefully into the playoffs.

“The three balance each other out nicely,” deBruin said of the trio leadership.  “Hanna is a great leader for the team; Maddie helps keep everyone loose; and Sydney (a fourth year varsity player) is about business.”

DeBruin is aware that the teams’ success will not just be derived from the seniors, but it will need to come from key contributions by everyone.

“Shirley [Ni] is the whole package, and brings everything she has everytime,” deBruin said of one of the unsung leaders on the team that figures to have another good year.  “Not only is she very coachable, but seems to always be in control during her matches.”

“Emily [Sullivan] has the potential to be a top eight player,” deBruin went on to say of another player he sees opportunities for success considering Sullivan, a sophomore, started on varsity as a freshman.  "She's a great athlete."

The season started off in the right direction for the Fillies with a victory over non-conference foe McHenry on Wednesday, March 16.

“It was a good non-conference match for the team,” deBruin said.  “It was important for these girls to see where we are at and what we need to work on.”

“These girls are working on  improving by writing down opponents tendencies, which is their dominate hand, and logging weakness they see,” deBruin said of how the team prepares for their matches.

But the preparation isn’t all mental, as these athletes hit the gym like everyone else.

“These girls will be here jumping rope at 6:45 am,” said deBruin of the work ethic he has witnessed from the team.  “Conditioning is very important; so they work on intense periods of movement while also working on reflex drills to prepare for their matches.”