With the new season approaching, Miami Palmetto Senior High’s badminton team is hoping for another successful season. The team is currently coached by David Zarco, who has played badminton since he attended MPSH, starting on the team in 1969.
Since Zarco started coaching the team in 2010,they have won seven county championships, placing first, and have never placed below third place in the county finals. They have won back to back three times.
After the football team, the badminton team is one of the largest teams at MPSH. Though it may not look like it, Badminton is a sport that entails skill beyond just athletics.
“It’s a very fast-paced sport, and it’s just very like it takes a lot of concentration. It’s a lot of movement. You definitely require a lot of technical skills like footwork, and it takes more than just athleticism, but like mental energy as well,” junior and varsity badminton player Khan Duong said.
The badminton team practices in the gym and has open play every Saturday until the season starts. Badminton is a sport for anyone with grit and dedication to learn.
“I’m basically self-taught, but what my coach mainly taught me in high school was humility. It’s one of the most important things in the game because right off the bat it looks easy, anyone can do it. That’s when humility comes in because there is always going to be someone better than you, but I kept learning I would correct myself when I did something wrong, and I grew a passion for the sport which is why I coach it at Palmetto now,” Zarco said.
The badminton team has taught communication and coordination and has brought a new outlet for many students as they continue to grow as a sport and a team.
“The most important lesson I’ve learned being part of the badminton team is that coordination is key and communication with your teammate if you’re playing doubles. My favorite part of being on the badminton team is hitting the shuttlecock around and having fun with my friends during practice. It has brought a new hobby to me that keeps me active, and continuously challenges me in multiple different ways,” junior and varsity badminton player Ben Jones said.
