Editor’s note: Brian Bartoz is a first-year teacher at Morrison High School. He teaches Driver Education and American Government and coaches the Scholastic Bowl Team. Bartoz submitted the article and photos.
Morrison High School’s Varsity Scholastic Bowl team achieved a third-place finish in the 35th Annual Illinois Masonic Academic Bowl, Class 1A Sectional Tournament at Erie High School, on Saturday, February 17, 2018. In morning pool-play action Morrison’s team, led by captain Kayla Saville, won matches against Amboy High School (300-130); AlWood High School (260-110); Henry High School (260-150.)
In its first match of the morning, though, Morrison lost to ROWVA High School (270-170), the school that ultimately won the Sectional Championship. Morrison also lost a close, competitive match to Milledgeville High School (210-180) during the fourth round of morning competition.
Morrison’s record during the morning was strong enough to allow the team to continue into the afternoon, however, and Morrison made the most of its opportunities. Strong contributions from sophomore Griffin Vos–and all team members–kept the team competitive throughout the day.
In the afternoon matches, Morrison lost a close match during round six to Fulton High School (180-150), a fellow participant in the Three Rivers Conference. In round seven, Morrison won its match against Cambridge High School (210-110), which allowed Morrison to clinch the tournament’s third-place finish.
Five members of Morrison’s Varsity Scholastic Bowl team participated in the Sectional Tournament: Senior Kayla Saville and Sophomores Kara Saville, Hannah Stralow, Griffin Vos, and Thomas Wagenecht.
Morrison’s team was generously sponsored in the Sectional Tournament by Dunlap Lodge #321 in Morrison. The lodge paid $150 to the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois, in order to allow Morrison to enter the competition free of charge. Dunlap Lodge also provided Morrison’s team with a pizza lunch during the competition. A number of Masons from Dunlap Lodge, including Mark Ottens, who serves as the Lodge’s Worshipful Master, Kenny Schaver, and Phil Olt, attended the competitions, to show their support for the team throughout the day.
Scholastic Bowl participants, left-to-right, Kayla Saville, Kara Saville, Stralow, Wagenecht, and Vos are pictured with Dunlap Lodge #321 members Ottens and Schaver.
In addition to the financial support from Dunlap Lodge #321, the Grand Lodge of Illinois will award Morrison’s team $200 in prize money. It will be used for Scholastic Bowl supplies (e.g., practice questions, uniforms, reference materials, etc.)
Morrison’s Scholastic Bowl team wishes to thank Dale Thayer, Tournament Director of the Illinois Masonic Bowl, and Keith Stewart, Erie’s Scholastic Bowl Coach, for organizing the tournament. The team also recognizes the support provided by parents in attendance who helped to propel Morrison’s team to victory through their involvement and support throughout the season. They include Mr. and Mrs. Saville, parents of Kayla and Kara, and Mr. and Mrs. Stralow, parents of Hannah.
Left-to-right, participants Stralow, Kara Saville, Kayla Saville, Vos, and Wagenecht prepare for a round of competition in the Erie High School Library.
MHS’s Scholastic Bowl team presented Mark Ottens, Worshipful Master of Dunlap Lodge #321 in Morrison, a thank-you card, to express its appreciation for the Lodge’s sponsorship in this year’s Masonic Sectional. Pictured left-to-right are team members Wagenecht, Vos, Kayla Saville, Kara Saville, and Stralow.
Bartoz stated, “Once the season ends, likely after Saturday, March 10, I would be glad to send you a season recap to provide an overview of the season.”