Coles captures SOSSA championship
Jenna Coles of Sir Winston Churchill placed first in the girls singles division at the SOSSA badminton championships Wednesday. Photo by: BILL POTRECZ
Jenna Coles had a secret weapon at her disposal Wednesday.
The 17-year-old, Grade 12 student at Sir Winston Churchill used a racquet given to her years ago by a former teacher which she put to good use as she captured the SOSSA (Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association) girls singles badminton title held at Heritage Christian College.
Coles defeated Carly Smith of Dunnville Secondary School 21-16, 21-15 to take her first SOSSA championship and advance to the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) championships next week in North Bay.
Coles said the lucky racquet was from former Grapeview teacher Angela Esau.
“That’s her racquet she gave me as a grad present,” Coles said. “I still have her racquet and still use it. It’s my lucky racquet.”
Coles said Esau was a mentor to her.
“She was really great to me and always encouraged me to come out and try it. I had played it in gym class and it was pretty fun.
“She definitely inspired me.”
Coles said it was love at first sight with the sport.
“I really liked it and got to be pretty good by the time I got to Grade 8,” she said. “It’s not a main sport but I love it a lot.”
Coles had to work hard in the final.
“It was close. She’s a very good player,” she said.
Coles, who narrowly missed out on qualifying for OFSAA last season, had high hopes this time would be different.
“I feel like I went into it with a little bit of the mentality that I can win this game and I’m want to win this game,” she said. A lot of time in badminton — or any sport — it’s not just skill, it’s heart.
“I had played that girl before and beat her so I had a little bit of confidence. At the same time, I knew she had improved and so had I so I went in thinking I had a good chance but I needed to play well.”
Coles, who has previous OFSAA experience in swimming and cross-country, will be looking for her first Ontario medal in any sport.
“This year is my chance,” he smiled. “I think the competition is going to be really, really tough there. Honestly, I’m just expecting to go there and hold my own and win and few sets and at least not get killed too badly.
“I’m trying to be positive.”
Coles defeated Sheemoo Eh of Stamford and Jayme Mancini to advance to the finals.
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