NEW LENOX – Thursday’s Lincoln-Way West Badminton Sectional was the case of the old guard and a historic first.

Lockport won the team title with 13.5 points, followed by the host Warriors with 11 points. Lincoln-Way Central (7.5) was third, Plainfield South (7) took fourth, and Plainfield East (1.5) finished sixth.

Lockport’s first-year coach Stacy Sparlin was pleased with the performance of the Porters, who won their fifth-straight sectional title.

“It’s very hard to follow in the footsteps of a legend,” said Sparlin, who took over for Denise Hadley. “I’m learning every day, and I have to give so much credit to my staff. They are fantastic to have, and the knowledge is incredible. It’s funny, because the combinations of players that we have today are so different than when we started the season. They bought in and continued the Porter tradition.”

The top four single players and doubles teams qualified for the state finals, which start May 12 at Eastern Illinois University.

Lincoln-Way West’s Cassie Ruettiger won the individual title for the second consecutive year and qualified for the fourth time. She beat Lockport’s Jenna Franzen, 21-12, 21-6. Ruettiger won all three matches in straight sets.

“This is definitely an emotional time knowing that I’m a senior,” Ruettiger said. “In the finals match I was relaxed and just played badminton. I know what to expect next week at state; I’m going in relaxed, not get too excited. Anything can happen once you are there, and I want to go out with a bang.”

Franzen, who will be making her second trip to the finals, feels that last year’s experience will be a big help.

“I’m really excited for next week,” Franzen said. “Last year I was super freaked out and didn’t know what to expect. I will go into this with the experience and play the matches just like any other match. My goal is to make it to the second day.”

Also qualifying in singles were Lincoln-Way Central’s Jalyn Baumgartner, who took third, and the Warriors’ Peyton Nielson, who finished fourth. Baumgartner also advanced last year.

In doubles play, two schools had both of their teams qualify.

The Porters’ duo of Alexis Duda and Mary O’Brien beat South’s combo of Melissa Powers and Sarah Lucchesi, 21-13, 21-16, for the doubles title.

“This is really exciting,” said Duda, who will be returning to state. “Mary and I have worked really hard this season. We will focus on one match at a time next week and try not to get caught up in everything.”

O’Brien, who will be making her first trip to state, talked about her doubles partner.

“We are have such different personalities, but it works so well,” O’Brien said. “I get anxious, I’m moving all over the place and Alexis is the calm one. This is because of the work we did all season, it all paid off today

It was an historic day for Plainfield South as it qualified both doubles team. The Cougars had never had one double team qualify for state, let alone two.

“This is just unbelievable,” an emotional South coach Hannah Christie said. “I’m so proud of these girls and to have this happen in my first year as a coach is a special time. Plainfield South is not known for badminton, but hopefully that all changes. These girls were hungry and worked so hard this season.”

Powers and Lucchesi have been playing together since their freshman year and now as seniors, their goal was achieved.

“It’s such an incredible feeling ,” Lucchesi said. “We have worked so hard together and we used to get pounded in years past. That experience and our togetherness all came together this season.”

“The bond we have together is great,” Powers said. “The work we did all season to get us in the position paid off.”

Lockport’s duo of Morghann Furr and Jessica Sterna beat the Cougars Kelynn Brummel and Grace Michel for the final two qualifying spots.