The Cook County High School Knowledge Bowl team had another good showing at the state competition, finishing 12th out of 24 teams. In front, L-R: Coach April Wahlstrom, Lance Bartol, Sylvia Berka, Emma Gesch, and Robin Henrikson. Back row, L-R: Aurora Schelmeske, coach David Liechty and Adam Dorr. Photo courtesy of David Liechty
After five rounds of tough oral and written questions, the Cook County High School Knowledge Bowl team ended up in a tie for 12th place at the state Knowledge Bowl meet.
The competition was held at Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd April 10 and 11.
Minnesota Valley Lutheran Black took first with 129.5 points while the Vikings scored 100.5, which tied with the Minnesota Valley Lutheran Gold team.
The Vikings were in 14th place after the first round with Minnesota Valley Lutheran Black in first. In round two they slipped to 15th, moved to 11th in round three, dropped back to 14th in round four, nudged to 13th in round five and after the written and oral scores for each round were tallied, they ended in a tie for 12th with Minnesota Valley Lutheran Gold.
As for Minnesota Valley Lutheran Black, they stayed in first place through each of the five rounds.
Two other teams from the region competed at state. Virginia High School placed 16th and Duluth Marshall finished 23rd out of the 24 smaller schools that qualified. The large school division also had 24 teams competing against each other.
Representing the Vikings at state were Sylvia Berka, Adam Dorr, Emma Gesch, Robin Henrikson and Lance Bartol.
With more than 800 teams from 290 Minnesota school districts participating in senior high Knowledge Bowl competitions, the Vikings were just one of 48 teams that advanced through the regional tournament to qualify for a trip to the state Knowledge Bowl.
Throughout the competition teams of students compete in written and oral rounds by answering questions related to all areas of learning typical of secondary education programs. Questions test students’ recall, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
David Liechty, who teaches social studies, and April Wahlstrom, who teaches sciences at I.S.D. 166, coach the Vikings.
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