The University of Toronto Varsity Blues confirmed their status as a rising badminton power on Friday, defeating the defending champion Waterloo Warriors 8-2 in the afternoon session of Day 1 of the OUA Championships. They left the David Braley Athletic Centre as one of four unbeaten teams, alongside Pool A rivals Ottawa and the Pool B pair of McMaster and Western.
 
Toronto dominated the afternoon matchup against the defending champs, losing only the mixed doubles matches. While the Blues found success in many quarters, third-year player Bethany So was particularly effective, running away with her singles match against Waterloo's Caitlin Yee (21-4, 21-4), while pairing with teammate Rachel Honderich to provide a convincing doubles win over Emily Lam and Carrie Law (21-6, 21-8). The closest contest came in the men's singles match between Toronto's Victor Chan and Waterloo's Cliff Tuen, with Chan ultimately overcoming a first-game loss to win in three (12-21, 21-12, 21-16).
 
Pool A should find some clarification at the top first thing Saturday morning, as Toronto and Ottawa kick off Day 2 with a matchup in the 9:00 a.m. session. Waterloo will look to bounce back against York in the morning session, while the highlight battle of Pool B between the Marauders and Mustangs is slated for the 12:30 p.m. afternoon session.
 
Playoff draws get underway in the 4:00 p.m. night session on Day 2, with medal and placement matches to follow on Day 3.
 
Full Results
 
Standings Through Day 1
 
POOL A
 

TEAM	POINTS	GAMES PLAYED	WON	DRAWN	LOST	MATCHES	GAMES	POINTS
Toronto	4	2	2	0	0	17-3	34-8	846-543
Ottawa	4	2	2	0	0	15-5	33-16	923-826
Waterloo	2	2	1	0	1	12-8	25-16	706-686
York	2	3	1	0	2	14-16	32-35	1149-1208
Guelph	0	3	0	0	3	2-28	8-57	975-1336

 
POOL B
 

TEAM	POINTS	GAMES PLAYED	WON	DRAWN	LOST	MATCHES	GAMES	POINTS
McMaster	4	2	2	0	2	17-3	35-7	832-527
Western	4	2	2	0	0	20-0	40-6	943-643
Queen's	2	3	1	0	2	17-13	36-27	1101-1007
Ryerson	2	2	1	0	1	6-14	18-30	796-875
Carleton	0	3	0	0	3	0-30	1-60	666-1286

 
Day 1 Results
 
Morning Session (9:00 a.m.)
 
Ottawa 6-4 York
Waterloo 10-0 Guelph
McMaster 7-3 Queen's
Western 10-0 Carleton
 
Afternoon Session (12:30 p.m.)
 
Toronto 8-2 Waterloo
York 9-1 Guelph
Western 10-0 Ryerson
Queen's 10-0 Carleton
 
Night Session (4:00 p.m.)
 
Toronto 9-1 York
Ottawa 9-1 Guelph
Ryerson 6-4 Queen's
McMaster 10-0 Carleton
 
Source: McMaster Marauders