OWEN KURVITS

Category: Athlete
Sport: Badminton
Institution: Redeemer University
Inducted: 2023

In four years at Redeemer University, Owen Kurvits put up some of some of the best accomplishments in school history. Owen was named CCAA Badminton Player of the Year and was a three-time CCAA All-Canadian and three-time CCAA Academic All-Canadian. Owen was also a two-time OCAA Player of the Year and four-time OCAA All-Star. At Redeemer, Owen was named Male Athlete of the Year on four occasions.

Owen debuted in the OCAA during the 2013-14 season, developing a rivalry with Humber's Ryan Chow in men's singles. Owen fell to Chow resulting in a second place at West Regionals, but turned the tables at provincials, thwarting Chow twice to win Redeemer's first-ever OCAA gold medal in badminton. Chow once again got the upper hand in the CCAA bronze medal match, but it was a positive sign of things to come for Owen.

Owen ran the table at West Regionals and provincials the following season, successfully defending the OCAA men's singles gold medal. Returning to nationals, Owen did what no Royal had done before, winning the CCAA championship, Redeemer's first-ever in any sport. Owen's quest for more gold in 2015-16 was thwarted by Seneca's Wenchao Shi, who defeated Owen in both the OCAA and CCAA gold medal matches, but Owen added two silver medals to a growing collection.

Owen returned to provincial glory in one final 2016-17 campaign, winning a third men's singles gold medal to tie an OCAA record. Owen went on to earn a national bronze medal for a complete set of CCAA medals.

Owen is currently involved with the Redeemer Royals programs as the lead Strength and Conditioning Coach for all sports teams.