BY LOGAN FULLER ’28
On Wednesday, May 20, the Jericho Varsity Boys and Girls Badminton teams soared into the 2026 Long Island Championships at Commack High School, ready to clinch titles. The boys swept Half Hollow Hills 9-0, winning their fifth consecutive Long Island Championship title, while the girls flawlessly defeated Ward Melville 9-0.
The girls badminton season is in the spring, providing consistency to condition for such a win. However, the boys badminton season in Nassau County is in the fall, requiring a lot of time off-season for players to train. After winning the Nassau County title in the fall, the Jayhawks trained through club programs, such as the Long Island Badminton Club. Even after their season ended, the team never stopped competing. They continued to prepare through team practices and conditioning sessions for the Long Island Championships.
The Varsity Boys Badminton Team’s biggest strength is its players’ experience. This year was Jericho’s ninth-straight Nassau County title win, so players were familiar with competing under pressure and committing themselves. Even in their off-season, the team was able to successfully balance school work with sports.
The Girls Badminton Team has a history of coming in second in Nassau County, usually falling to Great Neck South. 2026 was the second year in which Jericho’s Girls Badminton Team became the Long Island champions.
Sandra Chen ’27 said that having a team of mainly eager new players on the court was initially a challenge, but one that ultimately led to the Jayhawks’ success. “It took us some time to get comfortable on the courts, especially during tight matches,” said Sandra. “But the team has grown a lot since our first match and really embodied the attitude of Long Island’s top badminton team!”
To prepare for the championship, the Varsity Girls Badminton Coach Mark Burkowsky told his team to work hard, and as a result, he had players who rarely missed 6 days a-week practices.
Jericho’s commitment to excellence in the Badminton program is one that continues to deepen and build. This year, the Jayhawks are one school with two Long Island titles, but who knows what next year will bring.
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