The Scholars Bowl team won runner-up at Regionals on Jan. 31 at Bishop Caroll Catholic High School in Wichita.

After placing as Regional Runners up, the team automatically qualifies to compete at Desoto High School on Feb. 9 for the title of 5A State Champions.

Members of the scholars bowl team said they are proud of how they performed at Regionals.

“We did real well,” senior Spencer Wittkorn said, “Each one of us brought a different set of values and we all worked together to be our best.”

Sophomore Allison Brooks agreed the team performed well, in spite of strong competition.

“I think we competed really well at regionals,” Brooks said, “We went against some tough teams to beat and we got second place so I think we did pretty good.”

Several teams the team went against at regionals also qualified for state, including Andover, Wichita’s Bishop Carroll, and Kapaun Mt. Carmel. Rounding out the 5A state competition will be St. James Academy (Lenexa), Spring Hill, Topeka Seaman, and Shawnee Heights.

“I think regionals has really helped prepare us for state because we got to see some of our tougher competition and get a taste of what state might be like,” Brooks said.

Wittkorn is happy with the way the team has improved this year, even though he will not be going to state with the team.

“We did real well,” Wittkorn said, “Each one of us brought a different set of values and all worked together to be our best.”

Brooks is proud of how far the team has come as well.

“The team has progressed a lot this season,” Brooks said, “We’ve competed against some very good teams which has helped us grow as competitors.”

According to Brooks, the team will prepare for state by having a few practices before, and will probably study on the car ride there.

“I’m excited to go to state,” Brooks said, “It is a little nerve racking but I think we will compete well and have a good time.”

21mmcbride@usd489.com