Fremd ready to continue badminton tradition
Fremd badminton coach Bob Hanson is familiar with high expectations.
Hanson is an assistant coach with a Vikings’ football program that set Mid-Suburban League records for most consecutive playoff appearances (16) and division titles (eight).
The success during Hanson’s tenure in charge of the badminton program is also impressive. Fremd won state titles in 2007 and 2009, finished third in 2010 and has streaks of sectional titles at 10 and MSL titles at six.
And a talented crew which gained valuable experience in Charleston last year figures to extend its MSL and sectional streaks and be in the hunt for a trophy the second weekend of May.
And across town, Palatine senior Maggie Van Grondelle will try to become only the second player to follow a doubles title with a singles crown and become the first to accomplish the feat in consecutive years.
Fremd is off to an impressive start as it beat defending state champion Sandburg at the Palatine Invitational and beat Hinsdale South at the Schaumburg Invitational.
Sophomore Angela Wu returns at No. 1 singles after going 3-2 at state last year. Wu has beat Sandburg’s Kara Kentner, who took fifth last year, and Hinsdale South’s Emma Adcock.
Annie Huang went 2-2 at state last year and was eliminated by Adcock. The No. 1 doubles team of Ji Young Seo and Kelly Owens went 3-2 at state and the No. 2 doubles team of Rina Seo and Maya Sugikawa is also a threat to get to state.
“A strong, strong team,” Hanson said.
And players such as Momoka Shimizu and Maggie Swofford provide the depth needed for MSL success.
Buffalo Grove has been Fremd’s closest pursuer in recent years and has won three straight sectional titles and six since 2003 — with a second-place finish in 2010 — under Chris Van Grondelle.
The Bison need to replace the fifth-place doubles team of Nell Boyd and Michelle Byjos but senior Jenny Krewer reached the consolation doubles quarterfinals last year. Krewer and senior Kelsey Hendrikson, the MSL’s No. 4 singles champ, won the first doubles title in the BG invite.
Senior Eleanore Chan has a year of experience at No. 1 singles and Van Grondelle is excited with the potential of junior Mary Zawlocki, sophomores Mady Berns and Madison Fortman and freshman Julie Jambrone.
“This group of underclassmen have worked harder in the off season than any other group I have ever coached,” Van Grondelle said. “I’m not sure what this will mean immediately, but they are the hardest working kids that have ever come through our program.”
Prospect finished third in the MSL last year and will try to use its experience to unseat BG in the East. Noreen Caporusso and Shea Gallus went 4-2 at state in doubles last year and took third at the Palatine invite.
Senior Maura Benson will play No. 1 singles in weekend tourneys and the No. 2 doubles team will be state golf champion and senior Alison Walsh and her sophomore sister Kiley.
“We’re looking forward to a successful season,” said Prospect coach Jean Rezny. “The team has been working extremely hard, and in the first four weeks I have seen tremendous improvement.”
Palatine looks to move up the MSL standings after taking fifth last year. Maggie Van Grondelle lost title-winning doubles partner Tomoyo Tsurumi to a move to California but she beat Wu for the Palatine invite singles title.
“Maggie has been making great strides in her singles game and adjusting to a new doubles partner,” said Palatine coach Alison West.
Juniors Carly Joseph, Jenni Tucker and Emily Anderson played in last year’s sectional for the Pirates. Van Grondelle’s freshman sister Annie also looks to play a key role.
Barrington will try to sustain its momentum of last year when it took fourth in the MSL. Shirley Ni, Kathy Ho and Alyssa Slager and Mairead Nordli all played in the MSL tourney.
Hersey also has one of the best singles players and athletes in Jen Hall, who took fifth in the MSL and went 2-2 at state last year.
Rolling Meadows coach Ken Mills is hoping for a top-five MSL finish and getting Laura Srnak, who played No. 1 singles last year, and Phoebe Kim to Charleston.
New Wheeling coach Mike Burke has a young team led by juniors Rachel Godlewski and Cailey Markiewicz.
“I look forward to us improving consistently,” Burke said. “We are young, but motivated, diligent, and hungry.”
Schaumburg senior Jess Hale will move up from No. 4 to No. 1 singles as eight seniors graduated from last year’s lineup. Hale took second at the BG invite.
Faith Meitzler moves up to No. 1 singles for Conant and Meran Liu will be a key for Hoffman Estates after playing No. 3 singles last year. Roshini Patel returns from last year’s MSL tourney lineup for Elk Grove.
Senior Cindy Wong returns to lead Maine West after winning her first match at state last year.
“Cindy is looking strong … her shots are very consistent and accurate,” said Maine West coach Maggie Weaver.
Weaver also likes her new doubles team of April Escobar and Katie Stashak and junior Brittany Gorski and sophomores Olenka Kalinowski and Rachel Andersen are showing promise.
Leyden is looking for big things from senior Adrianna Sanchez as the two-time state qualifier was a sectional champion last year. Leyden coach Brian O’Grady said junior Samantha Dowiarz “has improved dramatically” to have a shot at qualifying for state along with the senior doubles team of Cristina Cervantes and Erica Chuang.