By: Siyona Singhal

Humor Editor 

As the spring sports season begins, the LGHS badminton team has been diligently practicing to gear up for matches. Despite losing 12 seniors, the team has been working hard to train new players, get back into the rhythm, and, of course, get some wins. 

Junior and team captain, Gavyn Liu, detailed his own badminton career: “I started playing tennis and transitioned to badminton in freshman year because of my friends. I decided that I liked badminton more than tennis.” In his new role, Liu hopes to help the team reach Division One, despite knowing that other teams provide strong competition. Personally, he hopes to qualify for CCS. To Liu, being a captain means being “a symbol of leadership and a source of inspiration.” He added “I want new players to see me and see someone they want to be in the future.” Liu emphasized that he wants players to learn that just because they didn’t start as great players, that doesn’t mean they can’t get better. So far, Liu has focused on coaching new players and getting them familiar with the team. 

Freshman Gautuam Varadan is a new badminton player but is quickly improving his skills and settling into the team. Before joining the team, Varadan had no prior badminton experience, but decided to try out anyway because of his family and friends. However, Varadan explained that, “you have to be interested first to get the hang of it. The coaches are doing a great job, so it’s not that hard, but you have to be committed.” Varadan has been training for singles, but recently switched to doubles. This season, he hopes to play in as many styles as he can and to enjoy each match he competes in. 

Junior Ann Jiang has been on the team for three years, noting that she initially joined because she wanted a spring sport but stayed because she fell in love with badminton. Jiang admitted that her first year of playing was especially hard because “I came in with zero experience. [Junior and captain, Farah Thariq] taught me how to hold a racket the day before tryouts.” However, in the current season, Jiang has enjoyed the familiar energy of the sport, despite missing the seniors who graduated last year and having to do conditioning. Jiang recalled her favorite moment last season, during League Finals: “My partner and I were playing in a match that we had no chance in, but it was fun to play with her. It was at that moment when people were cheering for our team, and we were watching great matches, that I realized my love for the sport.” Jiang hopes to reach that level of energy every match. 

The team’s passion, dedication, and hard work are especially prominent. Their teamwork reflects the spirit of school athletics: pushing personal limits while supporting teammates.