Scholars take an unexpected first at Regionals
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While (from left) Coach Dawn Kenyon, Blake H., Kristen Hanks, Tabitha Wolf, and Tyler Lowry look on, Seniors Joe Wolf and Deven Schoenthaler hold the first-place plaque after the Regional Scholars’ Bowl Tournament, held at Sublette on February 2.The scholars' bowl team will leave for El Saline to compete in State competition on Saturday, February 11. |
First place was an unexpected surprise for the scholars’ bowl team at Regional competition on February 2.
In pool play, after wins against Kinsley, 70-30; Greensburg, 50-15; Pratt-Skyline, 40-20; Ness City, 85-10; and Oberlin, 50-35, the team of Blake H., Kristen Hanks, Tabitha Wolf, Tyler Lowry, Joe Wolf and Deven Schoenthaler lost to Sublette, 40-50. Trego’s pool-play record was a 5-1 record, which qualified the Golden Eagles for the finals competition.
To begin the final pool-play rounds, Trego beat Oberlin, 60-20. Next up was Medicine Lodge’s well dressed team that did not intimidate the Golden Eagles, who defeated them, 70-30. Then, Syracuse was the third rival in final’s play. This competition gave Trego their first loss, with a close score of 40-50.
Then the tide turned against Trego. The fourth final round put Trego against Sublette, again. This round threw a curve ball. With a score of 50-40 at question 11, a math question caused confusion. Deven Schoenthaler, team captain, buzzed in and provided a correct answer. However, one judge declared the answer incorrect. Giving Sublette extra time to solve the math problem, the judge accepted the correct solution stated in a different way. As captain, Schoenthaler challenged the judge’s ruling by requesting a challenge card be written and sent to the “challenge committee.” The judge’s original ruling stood, and no further discussion was allowed. Despite Coach Dawn Kenyon’s appeal to KSHSAA, the competition had to continue with a replacement question, which Trego failed to answer, so the match ended, 50-60, Sublette.
The Eagles’ record for the finals pool play was 3-2. The record for the day was 8-3.
Thinking that Sublette had won the tournament, Trego didn’t think they had a chance of qualifying for State competition because there was a four-way tie at the end of finals. As a result, Trego did not hurry into the awards ceremony. When they walked into the auditorium after third place and second place teams had already been announced, the Golden Eagle team was shocked when they heard, “And first place goes to WaKeeney.” The team members couldn’t believe the turn of events. It turned out that the judges considered the four tied teams’ overall points to determine placings. Trego’s adjusted score of 70 was the best team score of the tournament.
Coach Kenyon commented about the event.
“The kids were awesome. It was very competitive with the four-way tie for first, and we deservingly earned first place. I think we learned against TMP on the Monday before that we could compete with anyone. At State, we just need to keep our poise to give ourselves a chance.”
The Regional champs, the Golden Eagles, will travel to El Saline for State competition on February 11.