The Crookston Knowledge Bowl team is off to a strong start in 2021. They have a couple of fifth-place finishes in their first three events, the team is led by seniors Ella Weber, and Anke Wiersma. Junior Ainsley Boucher, and sophomores Thor Harbott and Tatum Lubinski finished sixth in their virtual competition on Wednesday.
The other Knowledge Bowl teams for Crookston include seniors Linnea French and Charlie Burks; juniors Alexia Threatt, Ava Lopez, and George French; and sophomores David Threatt, Elliot Bartrum, Ethan Erdman, Nathan Kelly, Halle Bruggeman, and Zara Baig.
In past years, Knowledge Bowl teams have traveled to different schools to compete. This year, they receive their questions and answers from the judges through Discord, use a Zoom to work together and communicate as a team, BuzzIn to signal they have an answer. “It looks very different, but it functions very similar to how it has in the past,” said Advisor Katelyn Stegman. “Everything is completely online. Our students have been able to come into the school to compete, but we can have students competing from home. And we never go anywhere. We always compete from Crookston. So, it looks completely different, but the websites we use this year allow us to run the meet very similar to how it used to be.”
Senior Ella Weber said she appreciates the opportunity to compete but preferred the old format. “Call me a traditionalist, but I like the regular way much better,” said Weber. “But I do appreciate that we get to have a season because I was very much looking forward to this. I’m glad we’re able to do something, but I do like the original version much more.”
Junior Ainsley Boucher said she’s thankful Knowledge Bowl had the ability to go virtual. “I agree something is better than nothing,” said Boucher. “And I’m grateful that Knowledge Bowl is such a versatile activity and that we can continue to do it. I know a lot of other activities have been canceled or are unable to go virtual.
Weber added the ability to participate from home is also something to be grateful for. “I’m also very grateful that even if we’re at home quarantining, we’re still able to do it,” said Weber. “Unlike many other sports, if one person has COVID, they’re unable to do it. But if you’re at home and feeling okay, you’re still able to compete from the comforts of your own home.”
The students answer questions in various topics that can include Math, Science, English, History, Art, and Pop Culture References. Each student on the team usually prefers one or two types of questions said, Weber. “I definitely prefer the math questions quite a bit,” said Weber. “I’m pretty good at those ones. But that’s where Ainsley comes in.”
Boucher said her strengths complement Weber. “I’m not the best at math,” said Boucher. “But Ella and I complement each other well on the team. I would say the old Latin translation questions are my forte, but I enjoy the literature questions as well.”
There are two more competitions before sub-regionals begin, and Boucher said she’s hoping to qualify for state again after it was canceled in 2020. “I think we all love to go to state again,” said Boucher. “In a way, that is everybody’s goal. My team made it to state last year, but it was canceled because of COVID. Everybody has said that going to state was such a wonderful experience, so I was really looking forward to that. So, I’m hoping that we could do that again this year.”
The state competition will also happen online this year, so Weber said she’s hoping there is some virtual party or something similar for those that qualify. Stegman said she wants to celebrate the entire season when it concludes and is very proud of the students representing Crookston. “I just hope to celebrate this entire year,” said Stegman. “I hope to go to state. Again, that is the goal, but even if we don’t get there, I’m so proud of the kids that are participating this year. The struggle of completely changing the format of everything and how well we’ve been doing is amazing. I’m proud that we have so many students that are willing to work hard to make this challenging but also very fun for everybody.”
