Scholar Bowl Studies For The Upcoming Season

The Fair Grove High School Scholar Bowl team has been preparing feverishly for the upcoming season in an attempt to obtain another state championship.

Michelle Walquist, head coach of the scholar bowl team, has been coaching for the last 8 years. She explains some of her favorite things about coaching, “I enjoy working with the students; they are definitely the best part, (winning isn’t bad either).” 

In order to study for these competitions, Wahlquist has created or found scholar bowl study packets that include an expanse of content that the team expects to see at tournaments. Topics cover a wide variety at scholar tournaments; players may be quizzed on literature, science, history, fine arts, math, mythology, and geography.  

The scholar bowl team this year includes Braden Booth (Junior), Christian Allen (Junior), Charlie Harp (Sophomore), Stephanie Dugan (Senior), Abigail Gilmartin (Senior), Oakland Wayne Morrison (Sophomore), Madilyn Ellis (Junior), Brett Sartin (Junior), Liam Draper (Sophomore), Nate Waggoner (Sophomore), Nico Jenkins (Sophomore), Baily Carll (Sophomore), Mackenzie Cavin (Sophomore), and Luc Deeds (Junior).

Junior scholar bowl competitor, Braden Booth, shared his experience about last year’s state title. “Highly stressful. The thing I remember most is being horribly nervous the whole time. We had no idea what it would be like. After the first round, I was still on edge, but I had started to find my groove and play like I should. We got to the second game, and we were exactly where we needed to be. About three quarters of the way through, we realized we had them beat.”

Besides the competition itself, Booth explained how there is no way to get tired of scholar bowl, “I think my favorite thing is just the range of things you can learn. You never get bored. Even if you get tired of one subject, you just look at something different. There’s always more to learn, and that’s what interests me.”

This year the scholar bowl team is reaching for another state title. Their latest tournament happened at Kickapoo High School, with the outcome in their favor, another 1st place win.  

Walquist elaborated on her hopes for the team this year stating, “We have the same varsity team as last year and a total roster numbering 15 this year. We ended last year with an overall national ranking (private schools and all public schools-big and little) of 360. We found out today we are currently ranked 104th. Quite a jump!”

Wahlquist also continued that the scholar bowl team has competed this season at 4 tournaments so far, with three first place wins and one third place win. “I’m expecting great things again this year because they have already been great. We have players placing on the All-Star teams at every tournament.”

Junior scholar bowl member, Madi Ellis, expresses her goals for this season and one of her favorite memories thus far. “I want to get back to state. My favorite memory has to be when Braden was hugging the trophy the entire ride home from state.”

Walquist and the team are always looking for new members who are eager to study and learn. It is greatly encouraged to come to a scholar bowl practice and see what it’s all about.