Badminton: TF South dominates South Suburban tournament

Updated: April 28, 2012 5:06PM

Having stood at the top of the conference standings throughout the regular season, it came as no surprise that T.F. South and Reavis’ dominance continued Saturday as the postseason kicked off.

Competing at the South Suburban Conference badminton singles tournament, host T.F. South and Reavis met up in nine of 10 championship matches.

T.F. South won eight individual crowns to Reavis’ two, winning with 57 points.

For the Rebels, conference is a stepping stone to bigger things.

“We set goals early in the year as to what we wanted to accomplish,” T.F. South coach Bob Tengstrand said. “They said ‘We want to win sectional and state.’ Basically no girl said they wanted to win conference. It was there, but hopefully it’s a step to our ultimate goal.”

T.F. South’s Jessica Gomez, a sophomore, continued her season-long dominance with a 21-9, 21-11 win in the No. 1 singles championship over Oak Forest’s Brooke Adams. Gomez has a 48-1 season record.

At No. 2 singles, South’s Andriana Johnson regrouped after some struggles in the second game, winning in three, 21-15, 12-21, 21-16, over Reavis’ Sara Witek.

“Except that for part in the second where I eased up a little, I felt good, and I was able to come back and win,” Johnson said. “We had an invite a couple weeks ago, almost a preview or state, and I’m confident and feeling good.”

Other winners for T.F. South included Shannon Pollard (No. 3 singles), Jenna Pasko (No. 4), Cassie Breshock (No. 5), Emily Leiner (No. 7), Erica Maricich (No. 9) and Keli Farlow (No. 10).

The conference title was the second in a row for the Rebels.

“I want to get as far as I can and hopefully help my team win state,” Johnson said.

Trang Van (No. 6 singles) and Jennifer Hejna (No. 8) both won championships for second-place Reavis (44 points).

Oak Forest (27) and Oak Lawn (22) finished third and fourth.

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