Payson Junior High’s Badminton Bonanza Still Burning Bright

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Most students wouldn’t get up at 5:30 A.M. and drag themselves to school on a day that school is not even held, but such was the case with the students who participated in Payson Junior High School’s annual badminton tournament.  Over 60 students participated in this year’s tournament which was held on January 14; both the school’s gyms were filled to capacity with students vying for this year’s tournaments championship doubles team.   

You may be wondering why there is so much interest in badminton at Payson Junior High.  Well, the reason for the students’ high level of interest is largely attributable to Mr. Archer, the P.E, teacher at Payson Junior High.  Over the last ten years, Mr. Archer has generated a lot of interest for the sport by teaching it well, making it fun, and putting on regional tournaments.  He’s even had students from neighboring schools and communities and their parents participate in his tournaments.  Students at Payson Junior High know it is a big deal to win, or at least do well in, the annual tournament; seemingly everyone turns out: students, parents, and teachers.  It’s not uncommon to hear about the jockeying for preferred doubles partners that goes on in the weeks and days before the competition.  Mr. Archer has generated that kind of excitement for the sport.

“Badminton is the fastest growing racket sport in the world and was added as an Olympic event in 1992, and the kids love it,” said Archer.  Archer also stated, ”Badminton is a great sport.  It’s a fun game for beginners and top flight athletes as well.  As a P.E. teacher, I have always enjoyed physical challenges in team or individual sports and badminton delivers!” The large number of students that competed in this year’s tournament agree with Mr. Archer as demonstrated by their participation.

There were many tournament winners and great players this year.  There were two divisions with winners from each.  Division ‘A’ winners included Wyatt Vorhees and Jace Carter (first place), Kyle Moffat and Max Roberson (second place), Chance Brost and Cooper Ashton (third place), and Brody Adams and Preston Lange (fourth place).  Division ‘B’ winners consisted of Tyler Anderson and his brother (first place), a freshman team from Springville (names not available) (second place), Brody Jensen and Seth Colby (third place), and Adam Pullan and Nathan Hansen (fourth place).  Congratulations to all who competed and made this year’s tournament another badminton bonanza!

 

Attributions
Curtis Burton