Local Learners Face Off

WAITSBURG - The first knowledge bowl meet between the eastern small schools of ESD 123 took place at the Waitsburg Christian and First Presbyterian churches on Tuesday. Students from Waitsburg, De- Sales, Prescott, Dayton, Clarkston and Pomeroy faced off in the intellectual sparring match.

Waitsburg Knowledge Bowl coach Brad Green said that, unlike football and basketball, where crowds of spectators follow the action and celebrate the heroes, Knowledge Bowl teams play unnoticed for the most part. That's not to say that Waitsburg doesn't do well.

Last year's team met their goal of landing in the top five at the State Knowledge Bowl Meet. The year prior, Waitsburg also made it to State, placing ninth. Green is hoping to make another trek to the State meet this year, to be held in Seattle in March.

Dayton coach Doug Yenney agreed that Knowledge Bowl competitors often fly under the radar. "It's been an activity that has taken place in schools for decades without much public recognition," he said.

Yenney says his teams are made up of "great kids" who are good students, active in clubs, participate in athletics and perform community service. "We are a well-rounded group," he added. Yenney said his team has either qualified for State or come close the past several years. Dayton, like Waitsburg has a goal of making the State competition again this year.

Tuesday's meet consisted of about 18 teams, each made up of four to six students. Students first competed in a written round - a difficult, 60-question multiple-choice test. The topics on the written round run the gamut from science, math, history, literature, current events, music, art, mythology, grammar, and basically anything one might learn in high school, said Green. Yenney added that questions can also be based on topics that students would learn from watching the news, following politics or even traveling.

Following the written round, teams play three oral rounds, also of 60 questions each, covering the same types of topics. "The questions are open-ended. It's a lot like Jeopardy, where a team can ring in as soon as they think they know the answer, beating their opponents to the buzzer. The difference is that the teams work together and can collaborate on the answer. It's fast-paced, smart and very exciting!" said Green.

Waitsburg had two teams at Tuesday's meet. Team members include: freshmen Robert Walsh, Gillie Pope, Chris Philbrook, Sam McGowen, Cade Branson, Tom House and Korben Duffy; sophomores Aisy Pope and Julia Taylor; juniors Stuart Walsh and Trey Potts; and senior Emma Philbrook.

Dayton brought four teams, divided roughly by grade level. Dayton team members include: freshmen Morgan Riley, Megan Robbins, Tristan Sterby, Andrew Price, Kylee Harris and Reed Rickords; sophomores Nick Goodell, Savannah McFarland, Samantha Sweetwood, Zech Bryan, Spencer Cromwell, Cal Martin, Caleb Breaux, Jennifer Warren and Ally Chapman; juniors Angie Dedloff, Kensy Buroker, Marisa Klein and Zack Waggoner; and seniors Matthew Warren, Ian Smay, Sarah Phillips, Nick Nettleton, Carlos Oribio and Kaitlyn Andrews.

Prescott brought two teams to the November meet. Prescott coach Jeff Foertsch says he wants to see his teams improve scores every week and to have a good time.

Prescott team members include: freshmen, Jocelyn Granados and Viviana Ochoa; sophomores Tyler Fedderson, Andre Potts, and Oscar Garcia; juniors Abbi Vivanco, Perla Xolio, Solomon Martinez, and Jackie Velazco; and seniors Antonio Benito, Daniel Stansell and Janelle Batalla.

Tuesday's match wrapped up with Waitsburg Team 1 in first place with 93 points, followed by Clarkston Team 2 with 88 points and Dayton Team 1 with 76 points.