Nanaimo, B.C. – The Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Eagles were well represented this weekend as the university’s men’s double badminton team took home silver at the CCAA National Championships.
Four athletes represented KPU at the three-day tournament, hosted by Vancouver Island University. Jethro Lai (Vancouver) and Matthew Downton (Vernon) earned the Eagles second place nationally, and Willine Kwee (Richmond) and Derek Tutte (Richmond) placed fourth as mixed doubles.
The gold medal final paired KPU’s men’s team, PACWEST champions, against the Humber College Hawks, champions of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA), in a winner-take-all game for CCAA gold.
The gym was split between Ontario fans and B.C. supporters as crowds and excitement filled the room.
KPU started off with the lead, but the Hawks mounted a comeback late in the first set to take it, 21-17.
The battle of the birds continued in the second set, but Humber athletes Ryan Chow and Adam Dong’s aggressive and determined plays earned them a second win, 21-16, and competition gold.
KPU’s mixed doubles in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association tournament finished with three wins and two losses against tough competition from the other conferences. The Eagles won rounds one through three against the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA), Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) wildcard and OCAA wildcard teams. The duo’s first loss came against the other ACAC conference team. The fifth round lasted three sets and over 20 minutes, ultimately going to the OCAA champion team.
The CCAA is a national sport organization enriching the academic experiences of student-athletes through intercollegiate sport. A tournament recap is available here. For more details about KPU's performance, contact Codie Hindle at codie.hindle@kpu.ca or 604.599.3241.
To learn more about sport and recreation at KPU, visit kpu.ca/eagles.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has served the Metro Vancouver region since 1981, and has opened doors to success for more than 200,000 learners. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs in business, liberal arts, design, health, science and horticulture, trades and technology, and academic and career advancement. Over 19,000 students annually have a choice from over 120 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, citations and apprenticeships. Learn more at kpu.ca.
A photo of KPU's men's double team is available on Flickr.
Media contact:
Hayley Woodin
Media Specialist
t: 604.599.2883
c: 604.364.1288
hayley.woodin@kpu.ca
For more KPU news:
@KPUmedia
kpu.ca/newsroom
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