The 2006 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Badminton Championships are set to begin in North York, Ontario. The OCAA Badminton Championships hosted by Seneca College will take place from February 17-18. The top three teams from the East and West Regional Championships have advanced to this three-day event that will crown OCAA men’s and women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles champions.

The Championships will consist of only a few returning teams and champions to the event this year. As a result, the field will be highlighted by a number of new up-and-coming collegiate badminton players looking to make their mark in the OCAA history books.

The Cambrian Golden Shield has been a badminton power over the past decade winning the last six overall team championships. This year’s edition of the team is looking to continue their dominance with players in the men’s singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles event. East Regional Champions, Will Scott of Cambrian is in search of the men’s singles title while Ryan Rows and Kathryn Bobbies hope to secure a first place win in mixed doubles. Also representing Cambrian are men’s doubles pair Mike Dionne and Adam Root who finished third at Regionals.

Looking to end Cambrians title run will be Georgian College. After twelve years of dominating the east region, the Cambrian Golden Shield we’re knocked off their throne by the Georgian Grizzlies last week. Georgian won their east region title behind a first place performance in men’s doubles from James Didiodato and John Paynter and a slew of second place finishes.

On the men’s side, last year’s defending champion and Badminton Player of the Year and 2004-05 OCAA Athlete of the Year Nathaniel Allard of Centennial College enters as the early favourite in men’s singles. Nathaniel has continued to set the pace this year finishing in the top three in several invitational tournaments and going an undefeated 8-0 to win the West Regional Championship.

In men’s doubles, the highflying pair of James Didiodato and Jonathan Paynter from Georgian will enter on a high note after finishing first at the East Regional Championships. The pair earned silver last year and is the only team competing who’ve been at the Championships before.

On the women’s side a new champion will be crowned this year. Leading the pack is last year’s silver medallist Margaret Myjak of Mohawk who finished first at the West Regional Championships and won the Centennial Invitational this year. In her way stands several contenders including Kim Dao of Georgian and Jolande Amoraal of Humber.

Meanwhile Sian Leung and Natasha Letbrun will represent St. Lawrence (Kingston) in women’s doubles. The pair are two-time East Regional Champions and are looking to win their first-ever provincial title. Challenging them will be St.Clair’s Amanda Sjoberg and Amy Howe who won this year’s West Regional Championships and are favorites for a top three finish.

Look for the Cambrian duo of last year’s OCAA mixed doubles champion Ryan Rows and new partner Kathryn Bobbies to put their talent together to reach the medal podium. The team finished first at the East Regionals. Standing in their way of a gold medal will be Karina Olivares and Jun Kim who were mixed doubles champions of the east and champions of the Fanshawe Invitational Tournament.

A complete championship schedule including game times and results will be available online on the homepage of the OCAA website at www.ocaa.com or on the Championship Host Site.

Click here to view results from the East and West Regional Championships.

The championships are set to take place at Seneca College. For more information on the OCAA Badminton Provincial Championships, please contact host convenor Linda Stapleton at the Seneca College Athletics Department at 416-491-5050 X 2957.

The OCAA governs intercollegiate sports and promotes physical activity in its member institutions through quality athletic and campus recreation programs. It offers 16 varsity sports to 30 member institutions throughout Ontario.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Michelle Waddick
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
T: 416-426-7043
F: 416-426-7308
E: waddick@ocaa.com
W: www.ocaa.com