Badminton falls to Diamond Bar in CIF championships, places second in CIF

Ryan Ulrich

Sports Editor

Mira Costa badminton team competed in the championship match of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division one Co-Ed Team Tournament on Saturday at the Los Angeles Badminton Club, against five-time consecutive winner Diamond Bar High School. Despite efforts from all of Costa’s team members, the Mustangs ended up losing the match 19-2.

In all events, which include women’s singles and doubles, men’s singles and doubles, and mixed doubles, Costa was able to put up a fight and score in the double digits in the majority of the games. Costa junior Sam Schwartz won one of his games against the number two seeded Diamond Bar player 22-20, while doubles partners senior captain Shirleen Chen and sophomore Scarlett Luo won one of their games 23-21.

“In the final game against Diamond bar we tried our very best and although we only won two games we fought for those two,” Schwartz said. “Personally I think I played well but I wished I had played both my mixed and my first singles game a little bit better, but I was very proud of my performance in my second singles game.”

Before the championship game the Mustangs had been undefeated; however, Diamond Bar has won the CIF championship four years in a row prior to facing the Mustangs and proved to be a tough opponent. Although the Mustangs were not able to win the championship it was still a fantastic game and season overall according to coach David Levin.

“Our season was spectacular as we went completely undefeated and felt that our team spirit was fantastic,” Schwartz said. “We really pulled together as a team and I felt that our teamwork was able to give us 2nd in the CIF southern section.”

The Mustangs next event will be the California Interscholastic Federation Individuals tournament which will be held on  May 13 at the San Gabriel Badminton Club. After the loss, the Mustangs finished their season with an overall record of 10-1.

“This was truly an outstanding season,” Levin said. “Every player was able to contribute to our team and I believe we will have some good results in the individual tournament as well.”