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(From L to R) Kwantlen Eagles Gurdeep Basran, Simon Wu and Leah Rihela.
For immediate release
February 15, 2008
Kwantlen Eagles Badminton is set to soar at provincials
(SURREY, B.C.) With the British Columbia Colleges’ Athletic Association (BCCAA) championships scheduled for this weekend, the Kwantlen University College Eagles Badminton team is in a position to soar to places they’ve never seen before.
Leah Rihela (Surrey), a bright light for the Kwantlen Eagles, has delivered on every occasion this season and appears poised to help make the Eagles a medal contender in this weekend’s championship. “I’m a little nervous about this weekend, but I’m also excited about the experience” said Rihela. “There is a lot on the line, including a trip to Nationals.”
First year player, Simon Wu (Surrey) echoed similar comments. “This is an opportunity for us to bring some attention to the school and to the team. All season we have been preparing for this moment. We are no longer practicing new skills but refining the shots that we already have and trying to become more consistent.”
Head Coach, Dave Cruthers is excited with the performance of the Kwantlen Eagles this year. “The players that are competing this weekend are some of the strongest and most consistent athletes we have ever had. We set to build off last year’s successes; finishing fourth in the BCCAA and sending one player to nationals was great but I feel that we are stronger, more mature and ready for the challenges this year.”
A second place finish at the provincial tournament will allow the Kwantlen Eagles to send multiple players the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) National Championship in New Brunswick from February 28 – March 1, 2008.
The line-up for the upcoming tournament is as follows:
- Women’s Singles – Gurdeep Basran
- Men’s Singles – Tony Lee
- Women’s Doubles – Asami Sugisaki and Tuyen Pham
- Men’s Doubles – Abhimanyu (Abhi) Bagai and Anthony Ko
- Mixed Doubles – Leah Rihela and Simon Wu
The BCCAA team championship begins on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. at Capliano College in North Vancouver. Sunday’s action, which decides who qualifies to attend Nationals, begins at 9:00 a.m.
To view the official tournament website, visit: http://www.capcollege.bc.ca/services/campus-activities/badminton2008/home.html
Kwantlen’s varsity athletics teams are the Kwantlen Eagles. In basketball, soccer, badminton and golf they compete in international intercollegiate leagues. For more information on the Kwantlen Eagles, visit www.kwantlen.ca/eagles
Kwantlen’s mission is to create an exceptional undergraduate learning environment committed to preparing learners for leadership, service and success. Kwantlen became a university college with degree granting status in 1995, and has a mandate to develop and offer baccalaureate degrees that will prepare students for fulfilling careers.
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For more information, contact:
Elise Le Brun
Director, Athletics
Tel: 604.599.2005
elise.lebrun@kwantlen.ca
OR
Audrey Wang
Manager, Communications
Tel: 604.599.2385
audrey.wang@kwantlen.ca