The Oak Park and River Forest High School badminton program has a good problem: a large number of students trying out.
OPRF head coach Paul Wright told Wednesday Journal that over 70 girls came out, with roughly 40 spots available for the entire program. It’s a good problem to have because the Huskies aren’t the only West Suburban Conference school experiencing it.
“We’re hoping to add a level in the future,” said Wright, entering his 12th season. “Other schools in our conference are noticing this type of increase, and Hinsdale South has added a fourth level to accommodate the large turnout of student athletes.”
OPRF, which finished fourth in the WSC Silver and second in its own sectional last season, returns one of its two doubles teams, which qualified for the IHSA state tournament — junior Annika Gupta and senior Lilliana Jasinska. Gupta and Jasinska are two of four returning players.
The others are seniors Emerson Amstutz and Ella Papandreou, who narrowly missed qualifying for the state tournament in singles by one match in the sectional.
Despite going up against conference programs that feature players with much more experience, the Huskies have held their own, advancing either a singles or doubles entry (sometimes both) Downstate for 11 consecutive seasons.
“My freshman coach Jim Webster and junior varsity coach Liz Maxwell are an essential part of this accomplishment,” Wright said. “Many of our athletes don’t start playing organized badminton until they come to OPRF and are playing catchup against many of the girls in the state who have been playing for years.”
A highlight of OPRF’s schedule is the Conant Invitational, Apr. 20.
“It’s our premier tournament as it prepares us for the sectionals,” Wright said.
The WSC Silver, as usual, figures to be highly competitive, with perennial power Hinsdale Central and York leading the way with multiple returning state qualifiers.
OPRF’s season opener is March 13 versus visiting Leyden Township at 4:30 p.m. in the field house.