Eric Potvin watched a potential game-tying point fall just out of bounds, then raised his arms in victory.

The Grade 7 student at École Émilie-Tremblay bested École Whitehorse Elementary’s Derek Deuling in a back-and-forth three-set affair (10-11, 11-9, 11-10) to claim the badminton boys singles title yesterday.

“I knew it was out,” Potvin said of the game-ending shot from Deuling. “I lost to him earlier in the day, so it was nice that I got to get my revenge.”

The game featured plenty of extended rallies as both players left it all on the court.

With the win, Potvin earned a gold medal in his first school badminton tournament.

Meanwhile, Kiara Fitzsimmons took the girls singles title over École Whitehorse Elementary Grade 7 classmate Emma Boyd.

The two shared a hug following the game, which saw Fitzsimmons win 8-11, 11-10 and 11-9.

“It was a bittersweet win, because I had to beat my friend,” Fitzsimmons said through tears. “But I’m competitive. I like playing sports a lot.”

The first-year badminton player said she didn’t lose a game during the tournament.

Other winners at École Émilie-Tremblay included doubles players: Carl Foreman and Antoine Giguère from Émilie-Tremblay (Boys); Émilie-Tremblay’s Sarah-Michel Auger and Ljubica Tokic (Girls); and Whitehorse Elementary’s Emma Marnik and Liam Hudson (Mixed).

Players from 12 schools – including Teslin and Watson Lake– spent the day playing games in the gymnasiums at Elijah Smith Elementary and École Émilie-Tremblay.

At Elijah Smith, singles winners were Holy Family’s Tony Kim and Teslin’s Savana Kremer.

Doubles winners were: Teslin’s Harold Guinanao and Levi Stoneman (Boys); Holy Family’s Amy Vanderkley and Abby Roberts (Girls); and Golden Horn’s Kasi Koltelko and Dawson Smith (Mixed).

More than 180 students participated in the Yukon Schools’ Athletic Association tournament.