The scholar’s bowl team ended their season competing at regionals in Nickerson on Feb. 4. While they placed first in their pool, they did not succeed at placing in the championship rounds.

The team members competing were seniors Trenton Potter, Cole Jacobsen, Tanner Moore, junior Hannah Norris, sophomore Brendan Chapman, and senior Scott Ring as the alternate. The sponsor is instructor Cheryl Shepherd-Adams.

“The team performed very well this year, taking first place at three of our five tournaments,” Shepherd-Adams said. “The other two tournaments were in Wichita against 5A and 6A schools, so we were happy to get out of pool play at those [tournaments].”

Potter, the varsity captain, was proud of the season but feels as though the team could have been more successful.

“I was a little let down that we didn’t do better,” Potter said. “We initially won against almost all of our opponents, but in the finals we lost all four of our rounds by two questions or less. I felt like we did great, but I know that we could’ve done even better.”

Moore felt as though the team had improved over the last few years.

“I feel like this was one of our strongest years in recent history,” Moore said. “Back when I was a freshman, we were utterly destroyed many times.”

The experience at regionals for Shepherd-Adams was “interesting.”

“At the end of pool play we were at the top of the heap, then we proceeded to lose every single round in the finals,” Shepherd-Adams said. “I’m still working on a solution to that issue. So yes, those last losses were disappointing but we still enjoyed the pancakes afterwards at the Hutchinson IHOP.”

There were also many fun memories made throughout the season.

“My most memorable time competing was when our team learned to counter-challenge another team that really enjoys making challenges,” Shepherd-Adams said. “Those challenges used to throw us off, but this year we handled it with aplomb and had the confidence to counter-challenge.”

Jacobsen said this was his most memorable meet of his scholar’s bowl career.

“My most memorable time competing would have to be at regionals this year, because it was the last meet of my senior year,” Jacobsen said. “Regionals was kind of bittersweet since it was the last meet.”

Despite the loss, Potter believes this was the most successful year so far for the team.

“I feel like this was our best year since I have been a part of scholar’s bowl,” Potter said.

Moore also thought it was a strong year.

“Overall, excluding finals during regionals, I thought it was pretty neat,” Moore said. “It was interesting to go off against teams we didn’t normally get to see.”

Jacobsen shared a similar viewpoint.

“I feel that the team performed really well this year,” Jacobsen said. “I think this was our best year yet.”

17hnorris@usd489.com