Banner Season: Nine squads set to search for smashing success on championship stage
Burlington, Ont. – It will be a battle of the best and brightest badminton players from across the province when they head to Pickering for the 2024 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Badminton Championship. The York Lions will roar into the conference competition as the defending champs, but in addition to their upended cross-town rival Toronto, they will have to fend off a bevy of banner-hungry teams across the three days of play from March 7th to 9th.
Championship Details:
When: Thursday, March 7th to Saturday, March 9th | FULL SCHEDULE
Where: Melati Mas Sports (Ontario Tech University)
Participating Schools (9): Guelph Gryphons, McMaster Marauders, Ontario Tech Ridgebacks (host), Ottawa Gee-Gees, Toronto Varsity Blues, TMU Bold, Waterloo Warriors, Western Mustangs, York Lions
Defending Champions: York Lions
Student-Athletes to Watch:
Elizabeth Evans, McMaster Marauders | Competing at her fourth OUA Championship, Evans is one of the veteran players for the Maruders who looks to lead her team to victory. Having previously gained experience as a member of Team Alberta, performing at the Western Canadian Team Championships, Evans also brings international experience having twice been on the Junior Pan Am roster.
Katie Ho-Shue, Toronto Varsity Blues | A veteran member of the Varsity Blues squad, Katie Ho-Shue has earned many accolades with the OUA over the years. Recognized in multiple years as an OUA all-star, Ho-Shue has had a taste of bringing a banner home with the Blues in previous years and hopes to help her team win their 10th banner this weekend.
Colin Jia, Toronto Varsity Blues | One of the few veterans on the Blues men’s badminton team, Jia has established himself as a strong member of the squad. Carrying previous momentum into the OUA Badminton Championship, Ja took silver in the men’s doubles in the YONEX Canadian University and College Badminton Championships last March as well as an OUA banner in 2022.
Jailyn Joensen, Ontario Tech Ridgebacks | A Whitby, Ont. local, Joensen is prepared to leave it all on the court at this year’s OUA Badminton Championship. Being a multi-sport athlete, Joensen has had experience competing on the OUA stage, having earned OUA lacrosse all-star honors, and bringing in momentum to the championship with her partner Chloe Hoang, the sophomore hopes to keep pushing forward for her Ridgebacks squad.
Victor Lai, York Lions | The standout for the Lions at last year’s banner-winning performance, Lai was named the OUA player of the year and rookie of the year in his championship debut in 2023. He looks to lead the way for his defending champion Lions against a tough field, but having produced an undefeated run a year ago, he knows what it takes to win at the varsity level.
Joshua Nguyen, Ontario Tech Ridgebacks | Competing in front of his home crowd, Nguyen, a rookie for the Ridgebacks, is excited to compete in his first OUA Badminton Championship. Competing in the mixed doubles category, Nguyen hopes to bring his gold medal performance from the Laurier Invitational into the week and earn a podium finish.
Tiffany Too, Western Mustangs | The senior on the Mustangs squad brings veteran experience to her team. As a 2023 OUA all-star and having participated in the university national championships in women’s doubles and mixed doubles, Too looks to shine for the Mustangs this weekend. Along with being a part of the Mustangs, Too has also competed previously on the Canadian Junior National Team.
Noah Xu, Western Mustangs | The Alberta native is a key member of the Mustangs team, having competed in two previous OUA championships and performing on the national stage. The junior was named an OUA all-star in multiple years as well as the 2022 OUA rookie of the year. Xu has also previously participated on the Canadian Junior National Badminton Team and is a 2023 U23 National Champion.
Alex Zhang, McMaster Marauders | An international phenom from China, Zhang is only in his second year with the Marauders. Having only played in one previous OUA Championship, Zhang and the Marauders squad look to top their competition and earn a podium finish this weekend.
Storylines to Keep an Eye On:
A true team spirit on and off the court, often spending time together at a restaurant or on the slopes, the McMaster Marauders are feeling prepared going into championship weekend and ready to compete as a team. Featuring a mix of both younger and veteran athletes, the Marauders will fight to improve upon last year’s fifth-place finish. The close-knit squad are ready to make their mark against fellow top competitors from around Ontario to take home some hardware.
After seeing their OUA banner streak snapped a year ago, the Toronto Varsity Blues are on the hunt to get back atop the conference podium and and reach double-digit banner wins since it shifted to a combined banner. Starring veteran all-stars and previous banner winners, the team is poised to compete among the province’s best this week.
Western was points away from entering the finals at last year’s OUA Badminton Championship and are looking to give it their all this year. Although the OUA Championship will be just as challenging as last year, Western enters confident that they can achieve continued success this time around as well.
York turned the tides on the badminton script a year ago when they put an end to Toronto’s banner-winning streak. After rolling through pool play and upending their cross-town rivals in the semifinals, they went on take down the Waterloo Warriors in the finals, and with the path to success clear, the Lions are hoping to pounce on an opportunity to go back-to-back.
What They’re Saying:
“We are ready to bring in our best performance and fight our hardest on the courts” – Western Mustangs