HAWKS ROLL TO THREE OCAA BADMINTON TITLES ON SATURDAY

HAMILTON, ON: The Humber Hawks badminton team continue to shine on the provincial stage, as three teams won their discipline and took home OCAA Provincial Gold Medals on Saturday at Mohawk College in Hamilton.

CHLOE ROWE & LIZ DUONG – 2018 OCAA WOMEN'S DOUBLES BADMINTON CHAMPIONS

The first final of the day came in women's doubles. After starting the day by losing its first match of the year in the final round robin game, Humber's team of Chloe Rowe and Liz Duong found their groove. They went on to win the semi-finals in two straight, and then the title game in two straight as well. The semi-final was a tough battle with a strong Georgian team, but Humber took over later in both sets to win 21-13, 21-16. The final was against a very good squad from George Brown, and the first set was in doubt right until the end. Humber was able to strike first, by way of a 21-18 win. The next, and final set was all Hawks, as they ran away with a 21-10 win to claim the crown. Both Humber and George Brown will now advance to the CCAA Championships.

Of note, this was 2018 OCAA Female Player of the Year Chloe Rowe's second consecutive OCAA title. She also went on to win the CCAA women's doubles national crown.

CRYSTAL QU & ARPIT TENEJA – 2018 OCAA MIXED DOUBLES BADMINTON CHAMPIONS

Shortly after the conclusion of the women's doubles medal round games came the mixed doubles competition. As they have done all season long, the duo of Crystal Qu and Arpit Teneja were unbeatable, as they rolled to the title without losing a set. The two played St. Clair in the semi-finals and only surrendered 19 points in the entire match, winning 21-11, 21-8. The final was a bit closer, but never in doubt, as they swept the George Brown Huskies 2-0 (21-13, 21-19). Both George Brown and Humber will now advance to the CCAA Championships.

CAMERON LAI & DARCY SCHMIDT – 2018 OCAA MEN'S DOUBLES BADMINTON CHAMPIONS

The pair of Lai and Schmidt were forced to play tough matches throughout the championships, but matched the Humber mixed doubles team by rolling to seven consecutive wins, without losing a set. The semi-final, versus George Brown, was a 21-14 first set win, then a nail-biting 23-21 set victory to advance to the gold medal game. In the final, the Humber duo played as well as they have all weekend, defeating Georgian 21-12, 21-15 to win the match in straight sets. Both Humber and Georgian will now advance to the CCAA Championships.

OF NOTE

Although Humber won three of the five titles, they were unable to capture a team title in either the men's or women's division. George Brown, gold medalists in men's and women's singles captured both team titles.