Ashworth wins NWOSSA silver

Ken Johnston

He literally smashed the competition!
Joel Ashworth of Rainy River High School was not supposed to go to the regional badminton championships, but when the 2nd place NORWOSSA player from Red Lake could not go, he was next in line and was offered a place at the NWOSSA tournament.
NWOSSA’s were held in Fort Frances last Wednesday and Joel’s first match was against the top player from the NORWOSSA’s. His competition, a player from Atikokan, kept it close in the first game of the best out of three, but Ashworth smashed his way to victory winning 15-12. In the next game he dominated winning 15-8.
His second match was against a Thunder Bay player from St. Ignatius High School. Ashworth made quick work of him, winning 15-8 and 15-5.
The next game was his toughest. He faced a player from Manitouwadge and lost 9-15 and 3-15. “He was tough and ended up winning it all,” said Ashworth.
His final match of the tournament saw him face another player from the Manitouwadge area. He won the first game 15-8 and then dropped the second 6-15. In the third and deciding game he won 15-6.
His 3-1 record earned him NWOSSA silver. Unfortunately at the junior level that is as far as players can go. Seniors can go to the All Ontarios (OFSSA).
This is Ashworth’s second year playing RRHS badminton and the best he has done. He was very happy with that finish, “Considering I was not qualified to go.”
With badminton season over he has now turned his attention to RRHS soccer. Last Friday the Owls travelled to Fort Frances for an exhibition tournament. The boys came in second. The girls lost all their games.
NORWOSSA’s are in a few weeks and all teams go to them.