De Anza To Host State Championships

The result of De Anza College clinching the 2026 Coast Conference women's badminton championships last week, means the Mountain Lions will advance a school record nine competitors into the 3C2A State Championships.

The Mountain Lions will host the three-day event starting on Thursday.

De Anza qualifiers are: Karina Chow (North #3), Makayla Than (North #4), Risa Ohara (North #6), Lindsey Le (North #7), Teresa Wan (North #11), Adrienne Lee (North #12), Marissa Valerio (North #14), Jolie Huang (North #15), Danika Rocha-Jaysinha (North #16).

"I think this is evidence of our principle that our team advances as far as it can push each other," said De Anza College head coach Mark Landefeld.

"When you have good matches in training, it comes out in these situations.   Collectively, we can wear down a lot of opposition with focus and determination that is required when you are fighting a teammate for your spot in the team."

Maybe the bigger feat was qualifying all six doubles teams for the state event.  

De Anza teams and their NorCal finish: #2 Karina Chow/Makayla Than,  #5 Hayden Ky/Teresa Wan,  #7 Adrienne Lee/Danika Rocha-Jayasinha, #8 Enya Liu/Marissa Valerio, #9 Risa Ohara/Lindsey Le, #12 Jolie Huang/Bao Han Ly.       

Foothill College and Fresno City College will likely present the greatest challenges for individual honors this weekend.  

Foothill singles #1, Olivia Chen captured the Coast title, followed by FCC's PJ Yang, a finalist in last year's state championship.

In the state doubles event, the competition will be very strong.  

FCC's Yang and partner Khushi Kaur captured doubles success over DA's Than and Chow and were semifinalists last year.

Foothill's Chen and partner Danica Simpson coming on late in the season to finish fourth.  

CCSF's Julie Li and Vicki Guan took third at Coast and should also be a factor.