Blu-Jay scholar bowl team competes at state event

Pleasanton High School scholar bowl team members, from left, Kooper Milburn, Mia Miek, Alexandra Miek, and Braydon Reeves lead the team down the high school hallway to applause from fellow students as they prepare leave for the state meet on Friday, Feb. 13. (Billy Roudybush / Journal contributor)

By Roger Sims, Journal staff

linncountyjournal@icloud.com

After placing third in the Class 1A Division I regional meet, the Pleasanton High School scholars bowl team earned a trip to Lincoln High School to compete in the state championship on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.

Students from all three Pleasanton schools celebrated the team’s trip to state on Friday, Feb. 13. Beginning with Pleasanton Elementary school and continuing as they walked through to the high school with Superintendent Don Epps and a portable boom box leading the way, the team was cheered by students from all grade levels as they prepared to depart for Lincoln.

In pool play at the regional contest in Onaga, the Blu-Jays knocked off the host team Onaga, Wabaunsee and Rural Vista but lost to Lincoln and Burlingame. Pleasanton placed second in the pool with a total margin of 30 points over their opponents.

The Blu-Jay scholars bowl team includes, kneeling from left, manager Gabe Jones and Kooper Milburn; standing, Bensen Meik, Rhett LaVota, Alexandra Meik, coach Gay Harrington, Mia Meik, and Braydon Reeves. (Billy Roudybush / Journal contributor)

In the regional finals, the Blu-Jays came in third, losing to Frankfort and Clifton-Clyde, but winning rounds against Lincoln, Rock Hills and Onaga. The third-place finish was good enough to qualify Pleasanton for the state meet.

Frankfort had been tough at regional, racking up a 5-0 record in both the pool play and the finals. But that team was no match for The Independent school from Wichita in the finals. At the end of regional competition, The Independent had a  margin of 600 points and a 10-0 record over the course of pool play and finals.

Pleasanton had a 2-3 record in the preliminary round at state, beating Tribune, Skyline and Goessel, but losing toThe Independent, Frankfort and Goessel. The losses were enough to eliminate the Blu-Jays just short of the final round. Tribune placed third in the  finals, and The Independent was named state champion.