Crawford Nets Section Title

Crawford successfully defended its San Diego Section badminton title Friday, beating Hoover, 11-6, at the Federal Building in Balboa Park. The Colts (16-0) won six of eight singles matches, with the boys sweeping, and took five of nine doubles matches.

Thao V. Nguyen was the only No. 1 player to win for Crawford, beating Phuoc Hua, 15-10, 15-3. Tuyet Truong lost to the Cardinals’ Phung Hoa, 2-11, 0-11, in the No. 1 girls match, and Tho Thai and Thy Le fell to Thinh Nguyen and Liz Nguyen in No. 1 mixed doubles.

“They played great,” Coach Mary Bucaro said of her Crawford team, which has not lost a match since it fell to Hoover in the 1989 section final. “They’ve been very consistent all year. The only team that has come close to beating us was Hoover. These kids are highly dedicated and motivated.”

Bucero said several Crawford players stayed at the Federal Building and were practicing four hours after their matches had ended Friday. Steve Nguyen, Kuong Chea and Thao M. Nguyen also won singles matches for the Colts. Tram Dang and Kim Dang won for the girls.