State badminton: Ironwood, Hamilton win in clean sweeps on October 31, 2026 – AZPreps365

Hamilton’s Three-Peat Dominance

Arizona high school badminton programs Hamilton and Ironwood secured decisive state championships on October 31, 2026, with Hamilton capturing its third Division I title and Ironwood claiming the Division II crown in clean sweeps, according to AZPreps365 reports.

Ironwood’s Redemption Arc

Ironwood’s DII championship was equally emphatic, with the Eagles sweeping all six matches to claim their fifth state title since 2020. Senior Sophia Tijore led the charge, defending her singles title with a 21-5, 21-7 victory over Sunrise Mountain’s Norah Brooks. The Eagles’ precision was highlighted by Tijore’s reflection on their 2025 loss to Sunrise Mountain: "We put in the work." I play tennis (in the spring) but I could see them conditioning. Losing in the state finals was a really big push for us and we made up for it this year.”

The Unseeded Upset in DI Singles

The day’s most dramatic moment came in the DI singles final, where unseeded Katheryn Yi defeated top seed Hayley Koh in a three-set thriller. Yi’s 20-22, 21-18, 23-21 victory ended Koh’s 20-match singles winning streak this season. “(Yi) has made me a better player,” Koh said, acknowledging her teammate’s dominance. The match drew attention from local media, with AZPreps365 noting its “craziness” in the third set, where Yi narrowly missed closing out the match before Koh staged a comeback.

Precision and Resilience in the Finals

Hamilton’s doubles success was also highlighted, as the Sue twins, Allison and Madison, secured a 21-14, 21-17 victory over Westwood’s Naitsirc Galvez Valenzuela and Ava Sharpe. The twins’ composure under pressure was praised by coach Lauren Rosales. Prescott, the only northern Arizona school with a badminton program, finished as runners-up for the fifth time, including 2022 and 2023. Coach Bobbi Yoder highlighted the team’s unique challenges: “Our girls play three months out of the year, where a lot players play all year.” Despite the short season, junior Ava Block, a first-time player, helped Prescott reach the finals, earning praise for her resilience.

A Sport’s Rising Profile in Arizona

The state championships at Desert Vista showcased badminton’s growing visibility in Arizona. Despite being overlooked in broader athletic discussions, the sport’s demands—agility, hand‑eye coordination, and quick‑twitch muscles—were evident in the high‑level competition. Hamilton’s Yi, who won the individual singles title the week prior, called for greater recognition: “I don’t think people understand all of the hard work and how difficult it is to play badminton.”

Looking Ahead: The 2027 Challenge

Hamilton’s third straight DI title came against Sunnyslope, a rivalry that has defined the past four state finals. The Huskies swept all singles matches without needing to play doubles, as No. 1 Hayley Koh, No. 2 Katheryn Yi, No. 3 Madison Sue, No. 5 Sunan Zhang, and No. 6 Sanika Deshmukh each won their singles matches. Sunnyslope’s No. 1 Lelia Cody and No. 2 Molly Nordstrom were among the Vikings’ top performers, but the Huskies’ dominance was unchallenged. “We just keep building off the previous year, but at the same time each year is different,” Hamilton coach Karen Rosales said. “I am very proud of this team to come away with the championship.” The victory marked Hamilton’s third straight title. With seven state appearances and five titles since 2020, the Eagles’ 2026 win was a redemption arc following a previous setback. Senior Tijore emphasized the team’s focus: “We put in the work. I play tennis (in the spring) but I could see them conditioning. Losing in the state finals was a really big push for us and we made up for it this year.” As the Huskies’ Koh reflected, “We ended our careers with a state title and we will always remember that.”