Stephanie Lin is not a badminton machine who plays year-round at national tournaments like many of her opponents, but the Lyons senior still has a chance to make history at the IHSA tournament in May.
Lin can become the first singles player to win three consecutive state championships. Linda French of York (1979, 1981-82), Erin Hois of Downers Grove South (1998, 2000-01) and Karishma Kollipara of Latin and Hinsdale Central (2005-06, 2008) all won three state titles, but not in a row. Lin has that singular opportunity after winning state as a sophomore and a junior.
Her championship last season came against her club teammate, Hinsdale South sophomore Judy Yang. Lin beat Yang for the third time of the season at the state meet in Charleston, 22-20, 21-13. They are expected to meet Thursday when Lyons competes at Hinsdale South’s quadrangular.
Lin won the state title as a sophomore when she beat Hinsdale South’s Emma Adcock 16-21, 21-16, 21-17. Lin lost only one match last season, to T.F. South’s Jessica Gomez at the Lincoln-Way North Invitational.
She will chase her third consecutive state title after a lighter than usual offseason load when she competed in only one club tournament, the Chicago Open, as a doubles player with former Lyons teammate Elizabeth Abbs. Instead of regular badminton training, Lin chose to recover from some minor injuries and work on college applications.
“I think Stephanie looks pretty good to stay in state title contention,” Lyons coach Sue McClenahan said. “Yes, she wasn’t able to train as much as she would have liked in the offseason but she was still training. She would train every minute of the day if she could.”
Two years ago, Lin took lessons from Hois, who is now a doctor in New Orleans. Hois might have won four state championships, but her sophomore year she trained with the Orange County Badminton Club in California.
“I think it’s difficult to win just one state title,” McClenahan said. “Female teenage athletes are maturing and their bodies are changing so there is an adjustment that needs to be made over those years. It can be very difficult to make those adjustments and still continue to improve your game.”
Lin is the only returning state qualifier for Lyons, which took third place last year and captured its first state badminton trophy. Lyons graduated both state qualifying doubles teams, which created a new atmosphere around preseason practice.
“This year is different. Last year I felt a lot of pressure, a lot of stress,” Lin said. “This year is completely different. We have a completely new team.”
OTHERS TO WATCH
Samantha McClary, Hinsdale Central
McClary placed sixth at state doubles with graduate Amy Wey, but may partner with sophomore Angela Li. McClary played for the Midwest Badminton Club in Woodridge during the offseason. “I wanted to work on keeping my skills up from last year,” McClary said.
Casey Purcell, Oak Park-River Forest
The senior is batting junior Maya Trinka for the top spot in singles, while they likely will form the Huskies’ No. 1 doubles team. “This is the most experienced group we have had in years,” coach Paul Wright said.
Ryan Ricker, Hinsdale Central
The Red Devils’ top singles player last season went 4-2 at the state meet, but could play doubles this season with fellow senior Michelle Fu. Ricker and Fu played doubles together in the offseason for the Midwest Badminton Club.
Jenna Stobbe, Hinsdale South
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Stobbe and former partner Samantha Buddig went 3-2 at last year’s state meet. Stobbe will likely return to doubles with a new partner.
Arielle Strauss and Alexis Wood, Leyden
The seniors make up the Eagles’ No. 1 doubles team. “They are two of the hardest workers I have ever had,” coach Brian O’Grady said. “They had a strong junior season and I fully expect them to compete for a chance to go downstate.”
Judy Yang, Hinsdale South
The sophomore seems destined for more titanic battles with Lin. The Midwest Badminton Club teammates also met last season in the semifinals of the New Trier Featherfest.
Twitter @geomwilcox