Tyna Barinaga
National Titles:
Women's Singles 1968, 69, 70
Doubles 1964, 65, 68, 70
Mixed Doubles 1966, 70
Lois Alston accepts award and reports:
I don't know how many of you knew or played against Tyna Barinaga, but I was fortunate enough to have done both. We competed locally and nationally, and traveled together to Japan with our 1969 Uber Cup Team - where we were destroyed by Utami Kinard and her ruthless Indonesian team! Tyna was the kid, and I was the old gal, or "Obasan" as they called it over there. They said that translated to "Mother of Badminton" but I was never too sure.
Tyna was a product of Vern Burton's amazing badminton program in tiny Port Angeles, Washington. I read where he had over 500 juniors participating each year! Needless to say, he produced a lot of top juniors.
I first remember Tyna at the 1964 Adult Nationals in San Diego. She and her partner, Caroline Jensen, had just won the 18 and under doubles at Junior Nationals, and went right on to win Ladies Doubles at that Adult Nationals as well! They became the first to hold both Junior and Senior titles at the same time, and I'm not sure anyone has done it since! Unfortunately, the nice ladies they defeated in the finals of that tournament were Dori Haase and Lois Alston. I don't remember a lot these days, but Dori and I remember that match vividly! Those darned kids played really well.
Tyna was a fine natural athlete, and a strong competitor. She was very serious and shy when she first was playing the Southern Cal Tournaments, but a lot of kidding and teasing brought out her sense of humor, and soon she could needle and tease with the best. She was always a good sport and was always fun to play against.
Tyna went on to win the US National Singles Title 3 times, National Ladies' Doubles 4 times, and National Mixed twice. She also won the Canadian Open Doubles in 1965, played on the Devlin Cup Team in 1966, as well as the Uber Cub teams of 1966 and 1969.
In the early 1970s, Tyna and several of the top English players turned professional, touring Europe and giving exhibitions to promote badminton for one of the racket companies. I don't remember how long they did this, or how successful it was, but it sure seemed like a great idea, plus lots of fun!
Tyna was definitely one of our "premier" badminton champions, and surely belongs in this Walk of Fame. I'm honored to accept this award for her, and know she will be honored to receive it!