One of the younger members of the MCS badminton team has made it to the Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association provincials.
Clarizze Perpetua will take the court in Humboldt on May 14 to face off with seven other players in women’s singles.
The Grade 10 student is no stranger to high calibre competitions, taking part in Canada Summer Games tennis in Sherbrooke, Que. in 2013; the Canada Winter Games squash competition in Prince George, B.C. in 2015; as well as numerous provincial racket sports tourneys.
Perpetua finished in second spot in regional competition last week in Kipling, losing to an athlete from Regina’s O’Neill High School in the final in two close contests.
“The gold and silver match was extremely tight,” said coach Chelsea Kirschman. “In the final Clarizze lost in two-straight games, 22-20 and 21-19, but she beat the same girl in the roundrobin.”
Despite being in Grade 10, Perpetua is a force on the court.
“She’s a really good player,” said Kirschman. “Sometimes I’m just flabbergasted by some of the shots she makes. I really can’t remember seeing a better backhand than hers in a long time.”
According to her coach, Perpetua makes it look easy, but still puts the time and work into being a better badminton player.
“She’s very dedicated and she works really hard,” Kirschman added. “When she’s on the court she’s focused and takes the game seriously. She’s a good all-around player.
“She doesn’t really have any glaring weaknesses that I’ve noticed.”
While Kirschman admits a podium finish for Perpetua would be nice, she believes that qualifying is impressive in its own right.
“I think it’s such an accomplishment for Clarizze — as a Grade 10 student — to be one of the top 8 players in Saskatchewan,” said Kirschman. “I’m proud to be her coach no matter what place she finishes in.”
Perpetua was pleased with her game, but was already thinking about what she needs to do to be a better badminton player.
“I think I played pretty good,” said the humble Perpetua. “I think I’m pretty quick on the court, but I need to be able to read my opponents better.”
Perpetua is thrilled to be in her first provincial badminton competition, since she feels she’s not as accomplished in the sport as she is in squash or tennis.
“I just kind of picked it up,” said Perpetua of her third racket sport. “It’s always exciting when you’re going to provincials for a sport for the first time.”
Perpetua is the daughter of Ryan and Florrescell Perpetua of Melville.
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