Shuttlecock Showdown: A day full of great badminton...
… fly! Without any doubt, the Gentlemen had great weather as they took to North Quad for the annual Shuttlecock Showdown. This cherished event was a showcase for the Gentlemen to demonstrate their skill and prowess with racquet and shuttlecock. The Showdown saw the rise and fall of many teams. Shuttlecock One, the team of Fr. Ralph and Steds grad student Charles Rioux, was sent packing by the Assistant Rector team of Frank Spesia and Pete McKeon. Yes, it was a day full of aces, missed aces, faults, and even some double faults, and yes... even bad call by the self appointed line judges.
In the end, the defending championships, Sam Schaeffer and Christian Kirby, Steds seniors and RAs, faced off against an upstart junior duo of Josh Gambardella and Dan O'Brien, Steds juniors and Hall President and V.P. The two teams battled it out before a crowd of badminton diehards with each team taking a game a piece, forcing a third and final game. It was a spirited and close match right up until the end, but there could only be one winner. And the junior team bested the defending seniors 2 games to 1. Congratulations to our 2019 Shuttlecock Showdown champions... Josh Gambardella and Dan O'Brien!
On the day, Ryan Dahnke, Steds freshman and Shuttlecock Showdown participant, said, "The Shuttlecock Showdown is truly an event unlike any other. The courts compete with Wimbledon as the best venue for racket sports. The sportsmanship is top notch, and the competition is unrivaled. Hall President Josh Gambardella shocked us all with a close victory in the Finals in what was without a doubt the most competitive sports-related event on campus this weekend. MVP honors go to Father Ralph, whose racket-play was among the best all morning. Unnamed sources say they 'were scared to play him' and 'knew he was too good for them.'And whoever beat Greg and I were likely on PEDs. Taking into account the future (very) likely NCAA intervention, our squad won the whole showdown."
On the day, Ryan Dahnke, Steds freshman and Shuttlecock Showdown participant, said, "The Shuttlecock Showdown is truly an event unlike any other. The courts compete with Wimbledon as the best venue for racket sports. The sportsmanship is top notch, and the competition is unrivaled. Hall President Josh Gambardella shocked us all with a close victory in the Finals in what was without a doubt the most competitive sports-related event on campus this weekend. MVP honors go to Father Ralph, whose racket-play was among the best all morning. Unnamed sources say they 'were scared to play him' and 'knew he was too good for them.'And whoever beat Greg and I were likely on PEDs. Taking into account the future (very) likely NCAA intervention, our squad won the whole showdown."
To see some championship game play: click HERE.
... and McKeon and Spesia enjoy the taste of victory.
