In July, The Alamo Badminton Club Team Members led my Coaches Mike and Rita Gamez traveled to Orange County, California to compete in the 2000 U.S. Junior Nationals. They arrived on Tuesday for practice and Orange County Badminton Club (OCBC)and from the next day until Sunday had a very full schedule.
6:00 A.M. Shower, dress, pack up
6:45 A.M. Walk to Denny's for breakfast
7:45 A.M. Take Ramada Inn Shuttle to OBCB
8:00 A.M. Early warm-up and stretching
9:00 A.M. Matches began
12:30 P.M. Eat lunch at Bebe's Cafe in OCBC
1:30 P.M. Resume play
6:00 P.M. Eat dinner at Bebe's Cafe
9:30 P.M. Take Ramada Inn Shuttle to Hotel
9:45 P.M. Evening snack and wind down time
10:30 P.M. Good Night!
6:00 A.M. Shower, dress, pack up
This regimen was followed Wednesday till Sunday. The players spent over 12 hours a day in the gym. It was really a time to eat, sleep, and breath badminton. Disney and Universal Studios was not in this year's schedule. However, Rita did get the chance travel to Tijuana.
NEOPHYTES For David Briseno and Veronica Padilla this was their first National tournament. David played the Under-15 Division and Veronica played Under-17. Even as beginners, they did make some of their competitors tremble. They played their best and gained much experience and determination for next year.
DOUBLES SPECIALIST Vanessa Moreno also played in the Under-15 Division. For the 2nd year in a row, she came back with more doubles plaques. She won 3rd in Girls Doubles and 5th in Mixed Doubles. Now Vanessa has 3 National Doubles Titles under her belt.
OLD TIMERS Team Captain Adam Newbern played in the Under-19 Division and Team Captain Ruth Menchaca played in Under-19 and Under-21. The level of competition in these categories was very very high. National ranked players as well as Olympic Training Center members participated in these events. Adam and Ruth did not let that intimidate them when it counted: on the court. They played with intensity, never giving up. Playing against these top-notch players allowed Ruth and Adam to learn their weaknesses and their strengths. Now they are aware of what they need to work on for next year.
Currently, all ABC players are taking a short hiatus after spending more time with the younger generation of the Alamo Badminton Club. Starting September 9th practices will resume as Michael Gamez and the players will begin another season full of sweat, sacrifice, and fun.
