If you’re looking to beat the heat and learn a new sport at
the same time, badminton is good.
That’s what 10 or so ambitious young athletes have been
doing this week at Xavier Prep’s annual summer badminton camp in the McGrath
Gymnasium.
Most of the girls will be XCP freshmen this fall, although
there are a handful of participants from the elementary-school ranks.
The camp is led by former Xavier assistant badminton coach
Susie Murphy. She is being assisted by XCP soccer coach Barb Chura. Susan
Contreras, who led the Gators to the state championship in her first season as
coach last year, is administering all of the school’s camps this summer.
Murphy and former head coach Nancy Meyer ran last year’s
camp before Contreras was named, and have maintained contact with the program,
attending many of the matches throughout the season. Meyer was unavailable this
week while helping with a family project.
“We have always enjoyed working with the girls,’’ Murphy
said.
The camp is held from 2-4 p.m. and runs through Friday (June
16).
“Most of the girls have never played before, other than
maybe in the back yard,’’ Murphy said. “We want to teach them the basic skills
and allow them to have fun.’’
One of the participants is Maggie Kamps, whose sister,
Annie, teamed with Tatum Clarke to win the doubles state title last season.
“So she’s got some good potential,’’ Murphy said.
Since the players have very limited experience, “everything
starts off equal,’’ Murphy said. “That’s the way we like it to go. If they
continue to work at it and learn the skills, they have the potential to be good
players.’’
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