Disappointing Turn-out for Victor Viking Trail Junior Open
Posted on April 2, 2019The entries for the 2019 Victor Viking Trail Junior Open, held at Gros Morne Academy, Saturday March 30th were only a fraction of the total 34 participants which the tournament attracted in 2018. Due to the low numbers, it was necessary to combine categories for an All-Under 19 tournament. This proved to be an opportunity for players to achieve or improve their 2018-2019 rankings in this category. Play was dominated by Justin Young, Blake Gambin and Taylor Gambin from Bonne Bay Badminton Club, all current athletes in the Provincial Training Program and members of Canada Games team 2019.
Justin Young with partner Blake Gambin, have been in the Provincial Training Program for 3 years. Seen here at the National Badminton Centre, England, August 2018.
In Boys’ Singles, Blake beat Justin 21-4, 21-19 in the final match taking Gold while Justin took Silver. In the Bronze medal match, Jack Cameron of GrandFalls – Windsor beat Garrin Gerrow of Gros Morne Academy, 21-7, 21-10.
In Girls’ Singles, Taylor beat Summer Burridge of Gros Morne 21-7, 21-15 to take Gold. Summer won Silver and Jillian Wight of Gros Morne took Bronze.
In Boys’ Doubles, Blake and Justin beat out Jack and Austin Major of Gros Morne, 21-6, 21-13 to win Gold. Jack and Austin took Silver. Bronze went to Garrin Gerrow and Daniel Laing.
In Girls’ Doubles, Taylor paired up with Hailey Alexander of Bonne Bay to beat Summer and Jillian 21-17, 21-13.
In Mixed Doubles, Taylor achieved her third 1st Place win, teaming up with Justin to beat Blake and Hailey, 21-13, 21-7. Bronze went to Daniel and Summer.
As a result of this tournament, rankings have been updated as follows:
Blake Gambin is tied for #1 in Under 19 Boys’s Singles with Dylan Collier of Bay d’Espoir.
Taylor Gambin is tied for #1 in Under 19 Girls’ Singles with Heidi Simpson of Glovertown.
Blake Gambin and Justin Young are tied for #1 in Under 19 Boys’ Doubles with Austin Chaulk and Robyn Feltham of Glovertown.
Hailey Alexander and Taylor Gambin are tied for #1 in Under 19 Girls’ Doubles with Mackenzie Janes and Heidi Simpson of Glovertown.
Taylor Gambin and Justin Young are tied for #1 in Under 19 Mixed Doubles with Jessica Willcott and Dylan Collier of Bay d’Espoir.
Taylor Gambin and Justin Young, Mixed Doubles winners at the 2019 Victor Viking Trail Junior Open. As part of the Provincial Training Program, they are no strangers to competition, seen here during an interval in play at the Yonex Ontario Junior Elite in January 2018.