The Cook County High School Knowledge Bowl hosted two teams in recent competitions. Left: The group is pictured here on the way to an early competition. (L-R, front) Audrey Summers, Sophie Honeder. (L-R, middle) Melanie Stoddard, Danielle Hansen, Joey Chmelik. (L-R, back) Will Seaton, Haylie Anderson, Sean MacDonell, Libby Zafft, Bergen Soland. Above: Sean MacDonell, Joey Chmelik, and Will Seaton competed at the regional tournament on March 13 and won by 19 points. They are now preparing for the state Knowledge Bowl meet on April 10 – 11.
Cook County High School students on the Varsity Knowledge Bowl team started competition in January. After matching their knowledge against teams across the state, one Cook County team advanced through regionals and is now gearing up for the state Knowledge Bowl meet on April 10 – 11.
The first meet was held on Jan 15 and Varsity Knowledge Bowl Coach April Wahlstrom said the Cook County No. 1 team came in second place behind Virginia. Members of Knowledge Bowl team No. 1 are Sean MacDonell, Will Seaton, Sophie Honeder, and Joey Chmelik.
Team No. 2 came in 12th. Scholars on that team are Audrey Summers, Danielle Hansen, Melanie Stoddard, Libby Zafft, Haylie Anderson, Bergen Soland, and Morgan Weyrens- Welch.
Coach Wahlstrom said, “This was a nice way to open the season as last year we didn’t have the opportunity to compete against Virginia and then last year at the state meet they proved to be tough. This type of practice is a great way to get ready for the state competition.”
On January 22, the teams had another great competition and at the end of the day, the Cook County No. 1 team ranked 1st in both the small school category and the large school category. “They ended up beating Hermantown by 15 points!” said Coach Wahlstrom.
The Cook County Team No. 2 team was ranked 11th when compared to the small schools.
Students continued to hone their knowledge and at the regional competition on March 30, Team No. 1 qualified for the state Knowledge Bowl Meet. Austrian exchange student Sophie Honeder was absent, so Sean MacDonell, Joey Chmelik, and Will Seaton competed at the regional tournament and won by 19 points.
Coach Wahlstrom said, “Our second team rounded out a great season and came in 20th at the regional tournament.”
In December 2013, the Grand Marais Lions Clubpresented a check for $1,000 to support CookCounty Schools’ participation in Knowledge Bowl.The Knowledge Bowl students, under direction ofcoaches April Wahlstrom and Dorie Carlson, had anexcellent season and they will be headed to a statewidecompetition in April 2014. Happily acceptingthe check from Lions Club President Harry Petersonwere Will Seaton (left) and Sean MacDonell.
Leave a Reply