H-ton Boys’ Badminton Completes First Season Ever

Huntington’s first ever varsity boys’ badminton team completed its season with 14 players, all of whom except a single senior will be returning next spring raising hopes for a successful 2024 campaign.

Alex Nelson served as the team’s founding head coach. He was assisted by Jordan Ioviero. The Blue Devils were captained by Abdiel Castillo and Alexis Rodriguez.

“The best team accomplishment was making Huntington High School history in having the first ever boys’ varsity badminton team,” Nelson said. “It was accomplished through a combined effort of administration, coaches and players. It was an incredible journey and was an absolute pleasure to be part of the first ever boys’ badminton team. It couldn’t have been possible without every player on the team working hard and putting in the effort to learn the sport and compete at the highest level possible.”

Huntington was led by Castillo in No. 1 singles and sophomores Jose Chitay and Steven Palma in No. 1 doubles and sophomore Ludo Cattano in No. 2 doubles.

“Abdiel was one of our strongest singles players and served as our No. 1 for just about every match,” Nelson said. “He did an amazing job this season and had the most, challenging task on the team as No. 1 singles. Abdiel will be greatly missed. He quickly developed into an amazing badminton player and teammate.”

Chitay and Palma emerged as a top doubles combo. “Jose and Steven were our strongest boys’ doubles team,” Nelson said. “They served as No. 1 doubles every match and qualified for the individual county tournament. They were inseparable and quickly developed their skills, tactics and chemistry as a duo. They lost a very close match in the individual county tournament to one of the strongest teams in the league and will be a huge returning asset to the team.”

Nelson recruited every player on the team. It wasn’t an easy task since this was a sport new to Huntington.

“It was an absolute pleasure and honor the coach the group of players we had,” Nelson said. “They worked so hard and put in so much effort to learn the sport as quickly as possible and compete at the varsity level. Their attitude, humility and enthusiasm was truly inspirational. Shout outs to Grey Hodgkinson and Juan Erazo for getting the first ever wins in Huntington boys’ badminton history.”

Nelson said he is determined to develop a team capable of winning the league and county championships. “I will continue to research, learn and experience advanced techniques and strategies,” he said. “The growing awareness of the team will attract more potential athletes to it.”

Nelson hopes to have as many as 25 athletes tryout for the team next March. “We have everyone returning next year except for our boys’ singles captain, Abdiel,” the coach said. “He will be greatly missed, but I have no doubt that the returning players and the upcoming players will compensate for our loss.”