Salt Spring is celebrating its junior tennis players after both a successful high school team season and annual Rajsic Classic tennis tourna-ment on the May long weekend.
The Gulf Islands Secondary School (GISS) boys team finished fifth and the girls ninth at the B.C. Secondary School provincial championships held at St. Michael’s University School (SMUS) from May 22 to 24.
“The road to provincials was anything but easy,” said coaches Wendy McEachern and Shelly Johnson. “These dedicated athletes trained twice a week before school — starting at 7 a.m. — a true testament to their commitment and discipline. Along the way, they faced and overcame tough competition to earn their spot among B.C.’s best.”
In north Vancouver Island competition, both the boys and girls teams triumphed over Queen Margaret’s School and Brooks from Powell Riv-er to earn a place at the island championships.
“There, the boys defeated Shawnigan and Glenlyon Norfolk School, and the girls clinched a crucial win against Mount Doug,” said McEachern and Johnson.
They said competition was fierce at provincials, where the boys narrowly missed a spot in the medal round but edged out SMUS in a thrilling match to claim fifth place.
“The girls held their own against some of the top teams in B.C., never backing down and ultimately winning a close match against Carney to finish ninth.”
McEachern and Johnson expressed thanks to supportive parents and Salt Spring Tennis Association (SSTA) members who helped coach and support the team.
The Rajsic tournament, honouring Roy Rajsic, who was a big supporter of junior tennis before he died in 2016, raises funds for the SSTA jun-ior tennis program. This year more than $1,000 was collected and donated to the high school team to help with travel, accommodation and food expenses.
Rajsic tourney results were:
Ladies 100: All from Salt Spring, Sarah Angus and Justene Tedder defeated Carolyn Sharp and Babette Arnoldus 8-6.
Ladies 120: Deb Orange from Salt Spring with Vancouver’s Rhea Friesen defeated Lori Irwin from Vancouver and Salt Spring’s Donna Wrigley 2-1.
Men’s 120: Blair Carley of Salt Spring and Vancouver’s Mathias Tobias defeated locals Michael Berendt and Tim Dubois 8-2.
Mixed 100: Friesen and Tobias beat Sharp and Dubois 8-4.
Mixed 120: All-local event with Orange and Carley defeating Diana Kray and Markus Wenzel 8-3.
Mixed 130: Another all-local event with Judy Kirk and Berendt defeating Sarah Angus and Nino Barrette 8-2.