The CCAA-ACSC National Badminton championships were held in Truro, N.S. this weekend and the University of King’s College finished the tournament with a silver medal – its first ever national athletics medal.
From left: King’s Athletics Coordinator Trish Miles, Assistant Coach Spencer Armsworthy, Bryce Mason, Benn Van Ryn, Athletics Director Neil Hooper, Head Coach Ryan MacIntosh.
King’s men’s doubles team of Benn Van Ryn and Bryce Mason won silver after beating teams from competitor schools from across Canada that are 10 to 20 times King’s size. The mixed doubles team of Sam White and Sam Lawther finished just out of medal position in fourth place.
“This historical day was a fitting end to the varsity season and a highlight of the year,” said King’s Athletics Director Neil Hooper.
In February, the King’s badminton team won the Atlantic Colleges Athletic Association (ACAA) Championships for the second year in a row. Three team members also competed in the Canada Games.
“Our fans were louder than any other and the school spirit could be felt throughout the gym. It was a tremendous experience,” said King’s Athletics Coordinator Trish Miles of Saturday’s medal round games.
Mixed Doubles duo Sam Lawther and Sam White earned 4th place at Nationals.
“Congratulations to Benn and Bryce on your silver medals, and to coaches Ryan MacIntosh and Spencer Armsworthy,” said King’s President William Lahey, who was in Truro cheering on King’s badminton teams.
It’s been an exceptional year for King’s athletics program which included another historic moment with the recent announcement of 56 new $20,000 academic-athletics scholarships. The Debra Deane Little and Robert Little Academic Athletic Scholarships recognize and reward those students who demonstrate achievement in scholastics and athletics.
“Students who complete our demanding Foundation Year Program while competing at the varsity level exemplify that kind of achievement. These scholarships are a vote of confidence in our scholar-athletes, our academic mission and our athletics program. King’s is grateful to the Deane-Little family for their remarkable generosity in honouring us with this ($1.4 million) gift. The future of King’s athletics program is very strong indeed.”
