Bridgewater-Emery Participates in Quiz Bowl
By Sydney Hoffman on March 29, 2018
Six schools in the area participate in the district quiz bowl each year. Participants include Bridgewater-Emery, Canistota, Freeman, Hanson, Howard and Menno. Four teams can enter from each school: seventh grade, eighth grade, junior varsity and varsity. The quiz bowl host school trades off each year with the surrounding schools that participate. This year, Canistota hosted Monday, March 12.
B-E’s varsity quiz bowl team for the year consisted of senior Cassie Kerkhove, senior Cameron Steen, junior Kristin Kotas and junior Katelyn Kotas. In the first round, B-E beat Howard, and in the second round, B-E won against Howard. Then in the third round, B-E lost to Hanson after they were tied 6-6 on the final question. The two seniors participating have previously been on the winning team each year.
“Many people would be upset we lost our final year, but it doesn’t bother me. Five straight years of victory isn’t ruined by one loss. Besides, it’s not about winning; it’s about having fun! I had plenty of fun,” Cameron Steen said.
The junior varsity team consisted of sophomore Lindsey Weeldreyer, sophomore Katrina Weber, freshman Katrina VanSickle, freshman Brandon Jansen and freshman Brooks Jansen. One team member participated as an alternate each round. The JV won in their age division after beating Menno, Howard, Hanson and Freeman.
Junior high was able to participate, too. Their teams were divided into eighth-grade and seventh-grade. Eighth-graders included Jackson Harberts, Geno Donvito, Lucas Mentele and Aaron Wollmann. They first won against Freeman, but then lost to Canistota and Menno in the second and third rounds.
“This was my second year at quiz bowl, and I believe we are improving. I enjoy doing it each year,” Geno Donvito said.
Seventh-graders participating from B-E included Sam Hofer, Owen Fink, Jerin Schulz and Sam Robocker. They beat Freeman in the first round and Howard in the second round. They then lost to Menno in the third round.
Overall, Bridgewater-Emery did very well at the quiz bowl; as their JV team received first place, and two other teams made it to the semifinals.
B-E’s varsity quiz bowl team for the year consisted of senior Cassie Kerkhove, senior Cameron Steen, junior Kristin Kotas and junior Katelyn Kotas. In the first round, B-E beat Howard, and in the second round, B-E won against Howard. Then in the third round, B-E lost to Hanson after they were tied 6-6 on the final question. The two seniors participating have previously been on the winning team each year.
“Many people would be upset we lost our final year, but it doesn’t bother me. Five straight years of victory isn’t ruined by one loss. Besides, it’s not about winning; it’s about having fun! I had plenty of fun,” Cameron Steen said.
The junior varsity team consisted of sophomore Lindsey Weeldreyer, sophomore Katrina Weber, freshman Katrina VanSickle, freshman Brandon Jansen and freshman Brooks Jansen. One team member participated as an alternate each round. The JV won in their age division after beating Menno, Howard, Hanson and Freeman.
Junior high was able to participate, too. Their teams were divided into eighth-grade and seventh-grade. Eighth-graders included Jackson Harberts, Geno Donvito, Lucas Mentele and Aaron Wollmann. They first won against Freeman, but then lost to Canistota and Menno in the second and third rounds.
“This was my second year at quiz bowl, and I believe we are improving. I enjoy doing it each year,” Geno Donvito said.
Seventh-graders participating from B-E included Sam Hofer, Owen Fink, Jerin Schulz and Sam Robocker. They beat Freeman in the first round and Howard in the second round. They then lost to Menno in the third round.
Overall, Bridgewater-Emery did very well at the quiz bowl; as their JV team received first place, and two other teams made it to the semifinals.
