Jacquelyn Kan, Andrei Pedernal named Dream Team badminton players of the year

Players of the Year:

Jacquelyn Kan, Cerritos, Sophomore

Jacquelyn Kan helped lead the Dons to a second-place finish in the Empire League team standings (behind Cypress) before teaming with Janice Hui to score the league doubles title and the CIF SoCal Regional championship to complete an undefeated season.

“I feel like this season there were actually a lot of ups and downs,” she said. “It was pretty great because the team was really supportive, especially the coaches. They were great at organizing the team and making us the best we can be.”

After experiencing so much success early in her badminton career, Kan wants to continue to serve as an example for younger players and her ultimate goal is to take one more step and claim an Empire League team title next season.

“It makes me feel really proud that I was able to achieve as much as I did,” she said. “It shows other underclassmen that they can as well. Next season I hope to improve more and be more consistent with my shot and hopefully help Cerritos try to get league.”

Andrei Pedeal, Gahr, Sophomore

In his first year in America after coming from the Philippines, sophomore Andrei Pedeal captured second place in boys singles in the Empire League and did the same at the CIF SoCal Regionals.

And he’s far from satisfied.

“It was my first time playing high school badminton,” he said. “In all the big touaments, I always got second. I’m honestly hoping to win league and CIF [next season], not just second.”

While he admitted the transition has been tough at times, Pedeal said he has adapted quickly, thanks to his Gladiator teammates.

“At first it was pretty hard because I didn’t speak much English,” he said. “I got used to it fast and part of that was badminton, where I have a lot of friends.”

From there, he was able to focus on his game and already has an idea of what it will take for an even more impressive outcome next time around.

“I leaed to control my mind, because every time I play big touaments I get nervous because it was my first time playing,” he said. “Now I’m getting confident and I know I can win. I’m just training hard and working on my consistency.”

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Coach of the Year: Jason Osako, Cerritos

After one of the most successful overall season’s ever for the Dons, Jason Osako is already plaing ways to get over the next hump and overtake Cypress as the Empire League champions next season.

“I think we definitely had a few bumps along the road,” he said. “We came in second to Cypress, but I felt like after those two losses the team didn’t fold. It’ll take a bunch of hard work. We just need to work that much harder to be able to match up with them.”

The coach said that work begins now.

“It’s a year-long process,” he said. I know the season’s pretty short, but they need to be practicing and playing. They can’t just wait until right before the season. Just getting everyone to play year-round is important to keep everyone sharp.”

While the third-year head coach and Cerritos alum noted the squad as the most individually decorated team the Dons have had, and overall team victory, an 11-10 win over Poly during the second round of the CIF playoffs, stands out as the highlight of the season to him.

“Everyone had to play their best game and they did,” he said. “We were able to reverse the score from last season when Poly won 11-10. They were both nail biters.”

First Team:

Kyle Feando, Cabrillo

Sydney Feandez, Poly

Rosemarie Huynh, Jordan

Briaa Khensovan, Jordan

Sambo Kim, Poly

Maggie Kung, Cerritos

Cassandra Mullen, Poly

Mary Nguyen, Poly

Ivene Sumicad, Cabrillo

Doubles:

Boys:

Leo Ruan/Monik Gupta, Cerritos

Girls:

Jacquelyn Kan/Janice Hui, Cerritos

Mixed:

Sambo Kim/Mary Nguyen, Poly

Second Team:

Anabelle Custudio, Wilson

Lloyd Galima, Cabrillo

Janice Hui, Cerritos

Raman Kooner, Poly

Eric Lam, Poly

Kristine Nguyen, Poly

Blessing Omolafe, Jordan

Leo Ruan, Cerritos

Eric Shu, Poly