Year in Review - A Rookie's Perspective

When I signed my letter of intent to play badminton at Mount Allison last April, I had no idea what to expect. From living on my own to starting a new adventure at school, badminton was the only thing that remained consistent in my life. When I arrived in Sackville, I couldn't wait to start. Despite a rough start to the year, having no gym, I was pleasantly surprised to see how dedicated and efficiently the team functioned, from running sprints, hitting drills and in-practice games; I could tell I was exactly where I wanted to be. Mount Allison Athletics gave me a comfortable space in a new environment; team members from previous years welcomed me, and the coaching staff set me up to have the best year possible. 

As the season came and went, I was proudly able to represent Mount Allison at the highest level I could, both in ACAA tournaments and in Badminton New Brunswick events, leaving everything on the court. Even when I was no longer one of the top players on my team, my teammates always had me feeling confident, and the sport provided an escape from my rigorous studies. Despite closely missing the cut to qualify for CCAA nationals, I was still extremely pleased with my rookie season. To top it all off, I received the Badminton Team's Rookie of the Year award at The Night of the Mounties. This award may have been the highlight of my year, and it has motivated me to shoot even higher for my next season as a Mounties, and with it, the award will forever hold the great memories I had as a Rookie, along with the progress I made as an athlete and person.

Article written by: Wilson Paluch, Mounties Badminton Rookie of the Year