Colton High “Fact of the Day” – May 19
The 1980s CHS Badminton team had an outstanding run. Here, Martin Flores (class of 1987) is stretching out to catch the birdie against a Redlands High opponent in April 1985.
Colton High School opened in 1895. It is one of the oldest high schools in the Inland Empire. In this daily feature, we celebrate Colton High’s rich history.
One of Colton’s most successful athletic programs in the past was its badminton team. In 1981 and 1982, the team wore the Citrus Belt League crown; in 1983, they won the Baseline League and went all the way to the CIF semi-finals; and in 1984, the team won the Sunbelt League and were crowned CIF champions.
In 1985, the team had a minor setback, losing only two matches, but both to Palm Springs High. That put the Yellowjackets, back in the Citrus Belt League, in second place. “If we had our team well, we would have beaten them,” said head coach Sandra Guidi. “It came down to the last match on the court. Two-thirds of the team was ill. That’s why we lost, not because they were better than us.”
The team made the CIF playoffs that year. They came back to win the CIF Division 3-A title in 1986, then the state again in 1987.
Recently, the CHS Publications Department experienced a major theft as over $20,000 in photography equipment was stolen from our studio over Spring Break. This included all cameras. Any amount you donate will help rebuild our program. Thank you!
