With only five returnees from last season’s varsity lineup, the Oak Park and River Forest High School badminton team is in a transitional year. But veteran head coach Paul Wright believes the Huskies can remain competitive.
“As we head into the start of the season, our coaches and players are feeling incredibly confident and energized,” said Wright. “There’s a real sense of excitement throughout the program right now.”
One example is the continued growth of the program. This year, OPRF has added a fourth level of badminton competition, something Wright said few other schools have. They consist of freshman, junior varsity one and two, and varsity. Wright says adding another level allows up to 20 additional players to compete in the program.
“Our badminton program has grown tremendously over the years, and this expansion reflects the passion our students have for the sport,” he stated. “It also speaks to the culture we’re building, one where students feel welcomed, challenged, and proud to represent their school.”
Two of OPRF’s returnees are seniors Stella Ludwig and Olive Tepher. The duo qualified for doubles in last year’s state tournament.
“They’re our number-one doubles team and will be key leaders for our team this season,” Wright said. “What makes them such a strong pair is how well they communicate with one another on the court. They constantly support each other during matches and work together to make adjustments when needed.”
Seniors Evelyn Cultra, Emily Smyth, and Ally Sugita saw some time on varsity last year. Wright said tryouts are still ongoing and the roster is not yet finalized, but he anticipates having a senior-heavy squad, with many players making their varsity debuts.
The West Suburban Silver is one of the top badminton leagues in the state, so Wright expects tough competition each week. But he’s also confident the offseason work the Huskies have put in will start paying dividends this spring.
“Hinsdale Central and York are the measuring sticks,” he said, “but Downers Grove North and Lyons are teams that we have struggled with in the past. We have more and more kids going for training outside of the season and that’s helped us improve a great deal. It models what’s needed if you want to qualify for state and be competitive at that level.”
Wright wants his team to continue to improve individually, particularly in singles play. He’s emphasizing skill development, getting stronger from a strategy standpoint, and competing with confidence.
“We’ll also be taking a close look at our progress at the state level and how we finish at the conference tournament,” Wright added. “Competing in our conference is always a challenge because the level of competition is so strong. Every match pushes our athletes to improve and compete at a high level. Our focus will be on steady improvement throughout the season so that when the conference and state tournaments arrive, our players are prepared, confident, and ready to compete at their best.”
OPRF has been able to hold its own in the WSC Silver recently, despite not having as much experience overall as other schools. It’s a credit to the culture developed under Wright’s leadership.
“People may not realize that about 90 percent of the athletes in our program come in with no badminton experience as freshmen,” Wright said. “Through hard work, great coaching, and a strong team culture, they develop quickly and grow into competitive players. It’s a credit to the athletes and the program that we’ve been able to qualify for the state tournament for the past 11 years.
“This group has done a tremendous job modeling what it means to be successful – not just in wins or losses, but in how they approach the game. They show younger players what it means to be great teammates, to put in the work, and to truly love the sport. Their enthusiasm, commitment, and support for one another are what continue to move this program forward.”
OPRF opens its season at home against Leyden, March 18, at 4:30 p.m.