ISSUE 07 | March 4, 2014
Library to Biffleys Tournament Snapshots Norwegian Visitors Lowell Quam Testimony Hillcrest’s Senior Knowledge Bowl team deliberates in a practice round prior to their meet in Concordia last week.
Knowledge Bowl or Bust
Brandon Doering | Staff Reporter
Hillcrest’s Knowledge Bowl follows honored tradition looking to blaze new trails “What city was created from the unification of Buda, Óbuda, and the east-bank of Pest?” A shrill beep sounds, signaling that the time allotted to answer the question has ended. “Budapest!” is blurted out. A correct answer after intense diliberation from the Knowledge Bowl team. When it comes to Knowledge Bowl, Hillcrest is successful. An ambitious attitude, the will to win, and a desire to honor God are ingredients that contribute to Hillcrest’s Knowledge Bowl team’s defined characteristics. Hillcrest’s tradition in the academic competition is established for most students in Junior High. Like most Hillcrest clubs, transferring students add a unique flavor to the blend of talents cultivated through club and team programs. And whether students are “old-timers” or a newer member, Knowledge Bowl provides an outlet for academic competivness.
One might think Knowledge Bowl is a boring competition where people answer random science and math questions, but this could not be further from the truth. The atmosphere is intense as each team struggles to ring in first with an answer, struggling to remember facts learned throughout high school in fifteen seconds. It is nerve-racking. A typical Knowledge Bowl meet follows a strict regimen. A forty-five question written round determines initial rankings. Four oral rounds follow where questions are read aloud giving teams a chance to ring in with an answer. Fifteen seconds of critical debate is the only time a team may converse before they answer. When the fourth oral round is complete, points are totalled and the winners are announced. This year, Hillcrest’s three teams are doing very well. The senior team, comprised of Rena Fedorova, Quincy Undseth, Brandon Doering, Kris Lein, and Tony Preston, has
placed in the top three spots three times in the past four meets. The other two teams made of Lucas Holzner, Jonathan Eckhardt, Luke Jennen, Matthew Lein, Ellen Jacobs, Sam Isaac, Hans Holzner, Reggie Undseth, Thomas Martinson, and Daniel Preston have also consistently placed well. “It is great seeing our team improve from last year and I look forward to seeing how we do next year,” said Jonathan Eckhardt. “We are doing pretty well.” During the coming weeks, the Knowledge Bowl teams are preparing for the sub-region meet. The highlighted competition is still weeks away, but preparation is crucial as the Comets hope to continue Hillcrest’s long tradition of success. Last year, two of the teams advanced to regionals, and one of the two had the opportunity to go to State. Hopes are high for the teams this year as well, fulfilling goals of honoring God with ambitious attitudes and a will to perform well. |1