CHAMPION! LT's Stephanie Lin Wins State Badminton Title

Lyons Township's Stephanie Lin made a goal for her sophomore season on the Lions badminton team: make it to the state quarterfinals.

She did that and then kept on rolling, upsetting top seeds en route to the Illinois singles badminton championship. 

"It was just a big surprise," Lin said. "I wasn't really expecting to get that far. I was in a dream-like state."

Lin, a Burr Ridge resident, topped Marissa Levy of Deerfield, Beatrice Jin of Naperville North and Julia Carson of York to make the final eight. Then came the biggest challenge: facing the undefeated Ailynna Chen, of Hinsdale Central, also one of her closest friends and a fellow club team member. Lin had already lost three times to Chen this season. 

"I know her style, but it was a lot of adjusting and whoever adjusted faster would win," Lin said. "It was difficult because we know each other so well, and even though she was disappointed I think it motivates her, and me, to keep getting better." 

Lin beat Chen (21-17, 21-11), then topped Jessica Gomez of TF South, the overall team winner. Then came Emma Adcock of Hinsdale South, whom Lin lost to twice this season. Lin dropped the first game, 16-21, but won the next two to seal the match and the championship.

She finished the season with a 34-7 record. She also placed first in the sectionals tournament and at a Dekalb tournament, and finished second in the West Suburban Silver Conference. 

The badminton team placed sixth in state, a huge accomplishment for the team. Elizabeth Abbs lost in the first round of state bracket. Doubles qualifiers Jamie Duncan and Emma Thimmig lost in the first round of the state bracket. 

"They’re all great students, work hard in the gym and are competitive," coach Sue McClenahan said. "The ending was just the icing on the cake!"

McClenahan said she was a bit surprised Lin won. She knew Lin has the talent, but as just a sophomore she didn't know a run would come this early. 

"Stephanie is young, not as experienced as the other girls and had lacked some confidence earlier in the season," she said. "We had been working hard to make her believe that she belonged in that group of elite singles players and that she could do anything she put her mind to."

Get news alerts and Facebook updates from these Patch sites:

• La Grange/La Grange Park newsletter and La Grange Patch Facebook
• Western Springs newsletter and Western Springs Patch Facebook