Badminton: Southland teams set sights on trophy

Updated: March 23, 2011 3:52PM

In 34 years of state badminton tournaments, Southland teams have hauled away 24 trophies.

Last season, area schools went home empty-handed for the first time since 1997. A repeat would mark back-to-back blankings for the first time since 1986 and '87.

Don't bet on it.

At least, don't bet against the Southland, whose coaches claim one team among them should improve on Andrew's area-leading fifth-place finish in 2010.

"There is always a wealth of talent on the South Side," Oak Lawn coach Patricia Casey said, "and Andrew is always good, so don't count them out."

Since 2000, Andrew has been in the top three at state eight times, winning championships in 2000, '01, '02 and '05. The Thunderbolts, though, haven't brought home a trophy since finishing second in 2007.

"Among the Southland teams it seems that the talent is more spread out," Andrew coach Mandee Wettergren said. "There doesn't seem to be a dominant team, but anything can happen.

"There are always surprises along the way."

If the T-bolts are to end the state drought, they'll have to do so after losing their top two singles players from a season ago. With Princess Clemente (a 5-8 seed at state in 2010) and Rebecca Rychel graduated, Andrew will be led by its No. 1 doubles team of senior Marissa Ripoli and junior Renee Olson, two players who found success last year in what Wettergren thought would be a "rebuilding season" at doubles.

In their first year on varsity, Ripoli and Olson went 25-11, winning a sectional championship before falling in the second round of the state tournament as a 13-16 seed. In their second year on varsity, their job descriptions are leaders first, with specifics to follow.

"Right now we don't know if we are going to be playing singles or doubles, so we are just trying to work with our teammates and build them up," Ripoli said. "I don't mind the leadership role.

"I like helping my team and bringing up the intensity level and pushing my teammates to get better every day."

Andrew is not the only squad area coaches feel can make a push for a bigger trophy case.

"One of the strengths of our area is the ability to cultivate new talent to replace outstanding players that graduate," Homewood-Flossmoor coach Tracy Badger said. "There seems to be more teams in the area that are up and coming and having a lot of success - (such as) Sandburg."

Sandburg won conference and sectional championships and finished sixth at state last season, scoring more points at state than any previous Eagles squad The Eagles return three of the six state qualifiers from that team in senior Katie Wagner and the doubles team of senior Carolyn Brown and junior Kara Kentner.

Wagner won a sectional title last season in singles, going 37-9 before falling in the third round as a 13-16 seed at the state tournament.

"Katie Wagner definitely is a player to watch as the season unfolds," Sandburg coach Kim Huelsman said. "She has attended several camps, clinics and tournaments in the offseason and is ready for this year's challenges."

Among individuals, Loran Pasko of T.F. South burst onto the badminton season last year as a junior, winning her first 37 matches at singles before losing in the sectional semifinals. Pasko finished at 40-3, falling in the third round of the state tournament as a 13-16 seed.

"She'll be a name on the badminton trail for the next two years," T.F. South coach Sean Coultas said.

TopSouthlandTeams

Andrew: Lost Nos. 1 and 2 singles players to graduation, but have a solid duo in Marissa Ripoli and Renee Olsen, two players who could take over those vacancies or remain the No. 1 doubles team. With 13 straight sectional championships, the Thunderbolts find ways to win.

Homewood-Flossmoor: The Vikings lost three of their four 2010 state qualifiers to graduation, but return team leader Tara Nye.

Lincoln-Way Central: After two straight runner-up finishes at the state tournament, the Knights finished 15th last season. The squad lost its No. 1 doubles team of Tammy Umgelder and Amber Siwinski to graduation. Umgelder and Siwinski were quarterfinalists last season, The lone returning state qualifier, Jessica Glennon, will lead the team after picking up three wins in the consolation bracket at state last season.

Lockport: The Porters made it five straight sectional championships last season, but graduated all six of the team's state qualifiers.

Sandburg: The Eagles return three of last year's six qualifiers from a team that posted the highest state tournament score in Sandburg history - including Katie Wagner, who was a 13-16 seed at the tournament.

T.F. South: After a 40-3 showing in 2010, good enough for a 13-16 seed at the state tournament, Loran Pasko returns as the Rebels' lone state qualifier.

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