It was a sweet gold medal victory for Ponoka Broncs intermediate mixed doubles team of Jason Rausch and Amy Lank, who recently captured the gold medal this year at the Provincial High School ASAA Badminton Championships held in Grimshaw.
Last year they were squeezed out of a gold medal in the final match, winning silver. But this year the team was ready, after eight months of dedicated training their hard work paid off.
Lank said they were more prepared than last year as they played and trained at a higher level. “We wanted redemption.”
They trained four nights a week in Ponoka and at the Central Alberta Badminton Club in Red Deer with rigorous 2 ½-hour sessions.
Finals were a hard fought battle as they were tied with their competitors in the last set, which was the exact same situation as last year.
Rausch said they were ready for it this time. “We stayed positive, that was huge for me.”
Experience and attitude contributed to them winning the last game 21-17.
Rausch and Lank came back this year with a vengeance, winning all their matches in round robin and in playoffs. Coach Jim Lank was proud of their efforts.
“Their level of play was exceptional this year, they worked very hard and are deserving of the gold medal. I couldn’t be more happy for them and proud of their accomplishment,” he stated.
Submitted