Quiz bowl team grabs second place
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The team fell again in the finals to perennial champ and state powerhouse Cookeville High School after what was, by all accounts, a nearly even match up until its final minute.
“It was a great last game,” said WCTE-TV station manager Becky Magura. “It was tied all the way through the first round, the lightning round and up until the last minute, when Cookeville pulled barely ahead. It was a great competition. Warren County always plays well and is always so pleasant.”
The 18th annual WCTE-TV Academic Bowl was conducted by the Cookeville-based public television station. A double-elimination tournament, it featured 12 academic teams from across the station’s Upper Cumberland viewing area.
To place in the top two, members of the Warren County team had to successfully answer questions from a broad range of subjects including science, history, current events, sports, the arts, pop culture, literature, foreign languages and NPT programming. Leading the team in scoring was team captain Nathan Maxwell.
Team co-coach Derek Mullican said he had hoped his squad would finally overcome the Cookeville juggernaut this year, but was pleased with its finish nonetheless.
“Our students have proven during this tournament, and others this school year, that they can go toe to toe with the smartest students in the state. They are to be commended for their academic excellence and outstanding performance,” he said. “Coach (Clark) George and I are very proud of them.”
The WCTE-TV Academic Bowl marked the final competition to be coached by Mullican and George as the two decided to make this their final year at the team’s helm. Mullican has been with the team since 1995, while George came on board in 1999.
“We have very much enjoyed the opportunity to work with such exceptional students over the years,” said George. “We wish them the best of luck in the future.”
WCTE-TV began airing the 2004 academic bowl on Monday and will continue to do so at 5 p.m. every week day through May 18 on Channel 22 Cookeville. The Warren County High School quiz bowl team can be seen on the following dates: April 28, May 10, May 14, May 17 and May 18.
PHOTO INFO:
Warren County High School quiz bowl team members recently displayed their academic prowess as they captured second place in the WCTE-TV Academic Bowl. Pictured, front row, from left, are Natalie Flanders and team captain Nathan Maxwell. Second row, co-coach Clark George, Nathan Smith, Nathaniel Green, Bryan Tatum and co-coach Derek Mullican. Not pictured is Will Collier. (Will Stewart photo)