It takes a lot to come in first.
Sometimes it takes patience. Other times it requires hard work. There are times it means being the smartest or strongest. And then there are times it simply means being in the right place at the right time.
For the Prairieview-Ogden Junior High Scholastic Bowl team, placing in first at the six-team Armstrong Regional meant making school history as the first team to bring home the IESA Regional Championship trophy.
The PVO Scholastic Bowl team was started in 2013 by math teacher Brian Hartman, who enjoyed stumping students with trivia questions about sports teams and general knowledge.
“The idea of a scholastic bowl team was a natural outlet to challenge the curiosity that students have for remembering the data that is always on the tip of their tongues,” PVO Scholastic Bowl head coach Jay Johnson said. “It was fun to sit around and fire questions at one another. After all, everyone knows something that contributes to a conversation.”
Johnson became part of the team in 2014, alongside the PVO Music and Social Studies teacher Jennifer Anderson, who later became the head coach.
The Scholastic Bowl team was open to a junior varsity squad for seventh-grade and a varsity squad for eighth-grade students to compete in a 50-minute match on topics including math, science, literature, history/geography, music, art, sports and general information.
But for the team sponsors, the scholastic bowl experience at PVO is more than just learning facts.
“The goal each year is to develop a camaraderie among the students and make learning applicable. Teams do well when they pool their ideas and knowledge,” Johnson said. “And more fun.”
Beginning in January, students at PVO meet three times a week to practice, travel to local competitions and prepare for the state tournament series. Some students get together as early as November to begin preparing, though.
PVO’s Assist Scholastic Bowl Coach, Brandon Loschen said this year’s team is full of “brilliant kids who have a diverse set of knowledge and skills.”
The team relied on Jo Schmitz to be the “math whiz” and to bring a vast array of knowledge in music. Spencer Fitch took on sports and pop culture while Blake Taylor provided literature and history knowledge. Miranda Loosa was able to answer questions from a variety of subjects.
Hunter Ketchum, the team captain, is “the Jack of all Trades” who knows how to implement a team strategy against an opposing team, according to Loschen.
“When it comes to building a team we have the Perfect Storm of diversified knowledge,” Loschen added.
In 2017, the team made it to the Regional Finals, but fell short in its title quest.
The 2019 team capitalized on its opportunity at the final competition by defeating Danville Schlarman Academy (245 to 120), Rossville-Alvin (255 to 75) and Bismarck-Henning (240 to 120).
“For several years PVO, a 1A school, has taken on the 2A competition in Danville and Champaign with varying results,” Johnson said. “The experience was at times, hard to take, but valuable. This year’s team competed against schools across the board and was exciting to the very end.
“A number of parents and teachers have said that they never thought there would be so much excitement in watching a team answer trivia questions,” Johnson said. “It is often an ‘on edge of your seat’ kind of reaction.”
The team dedicated its win to Anderson, who passed away on April 2, 2018 just a few days prior to the Regional scholastic bowl tournament.
“She really wanted to bring the title of Regional Champions home to PVO, and we were all humbled in accomplishing this feat in her memory” Loschen said.
“She suffered with pancreatic cancer since 2013 and was an inspiration for the entire district,” Johnson said. “This year’s team wanted to dedicate their success to honor her memory.
“Thank You, Mrs. A. for all the ways you have touched and taught us about music, history and life.”
The Mustangs have felt the support from their families and the PVO staff along the way.
“The inspiration comes from support of teachers, staff, parents, fellow students and even from the coaches of our competitors,” Johnson said. “Our superintendent, Mr. Vic White, has constantly encouraged the team. High Fives and affirmations are part of who he is. So thanks to all of those who encourage us to be who we can become.”
The PVO Scholastic Bowl team competed at the Next Generation Sectional in Champaign on Monday night and lost to Cissna Park and St. John’s Lutheran School.
Loschen said the team remains optimistic about making it further into the IESA competition next year.
The 2018-2019 PVO Scholastic Bowl team members are: (8th grade) Hunter Ketchum/Team Captain, Johanna Schmitz, (7th grade) Spencer Fitch, Blake Taylor, Miranda Loosa, Aden Armstrong, Brody Hausman, Rylee Huson, Caleb Ochs, Mitchell Wright and (new this year, 6th grade) Brayden Taylor, Allison Schmitz and Allison Ochs.
