Ron Langdon stares blankly at the shuttlecock in his hand, wondering what might have been. The senior and starting service specialist on KU’s badminton team says he knows that he let down his school, fans and family. But more than anything, he disappointed himself.

“Every little kid playing badminton in the backyard dreams of getting the shot we had,” said a dejected Prashant Marpathsary, also a senior, “but sometimes the birdies just won’t fall where you want them.”

The University of Kansas suffered a surprising defeat at the rackets of Clearfield College, a small school that two years ago barely had a badminton club. Now, the Clearfield Cougars have secured their school a spot in the National Collegiate Badminton Association and an upset victory to boot.

The ShuttleHawks, as fans call them, had high hopes going into this season. Ron Langdon was a pre-season All-NCBA First Team selection and is still a candidate for the prestigious Nigel Fletcher award, which is the greatest individual honor in collegiate badminton.

The final set of the final match of the ’Hawks season came down to a lob that was offered up by Clearfield on a set play gone awry. The team failed to capitalize, and unfortunately a splendid day for Ron Langdon — not so great for his teammates — ended with his missing his trademark overhand “smasheroo,” which had been the scourge of opponents all season long.

Next season looms heavy on the horizon for the returning players, some of whom will have to shake a late-season scoring drought that eventually caught up with the ShuttleHawks. Coach Rick Malrek is optimistic, though many fans are disappointed with the quick loss in his second season as the ShuttleHawks’ coach.

“Losses happen and it’s rough,” he said, “But we’ll move on because we’re a badminton team and we’re made of tough stuff. I have a lot of good players who will continue to develop over the coming years. We’re focusing especially on strength and endurance training with the younger guys.”

Sophomore Londino Latrice uses his own personal journey to remind him that brighter days are ahead.

Though he put on one of the worst performances of his young career in the season-ender, he remains optimistic.

“I came to Kansas from Guyana because I had a dream to play badminton in the States,” the 19-year-old mused. “I won’t let that dream die. Rock Chalk ShuttleHawk, baby.”

— Edited by Ross Fitch