It was a nice warm 1st day of February, 2024 when the OHS Scholars Bowl team took a two hour tour (trip) to north western Kansas, specifically, Oberlin. Avoiding the county road which was suggested by GPS , and our copilot, the team arrived at Decatur High School on time and ready to compete in the 2024 KSHSAA Regional Varsity Scholars Bowl hosted by Decatur County High School. Thirteen schools were chosen and divided into two pools by KSHSAA for this event.
Senior Katzel Carlin, the team's four year veteran, Juniors Clay Guttery, and Kate Kendig along with Sophomores Mary Carlin and Jayla O'Leary competed in honor of their school the Osborne BullDogs. The Osborne team was placed in the pool of seven thus getting to compete in six rounds. The Bulldogs achieved victory over their opponents in five rounds. However, Rock Hills, whom they have gone up against several times this season, bested the Bulldogs in round four.
The top three teams in each pool competed in a round robin rivalry to determine the top three finishers. The Bulldogs earned a place in the final rounds by finishing second in their pool. In the final rounds the Osborne contestants were outscored by three of their opponents. One of those was again Rock Hills. The final outcome of this event was Rock Hills, who went undefeated, took first place, Greeley County took second, and Ness City, who Osborne defeated in both the regular and final rounds, took third. It was a good competition with good competitors and we hope these top three teams from this Regional do well at State. And we thank Decatur County for hosting.
This brings the OHS Scholars Bowl to an end. It has been a bit of a different season having two Scholars Bowls cancelled due to weather in January. Also with this being the end of the season it is alas the sunset for Katzel Carlin's competing in High School Scholars Bowls. Katzel progressed from being a quiet Freshman who rarely buzzed in, to a captain her Senior year who was willing to protest a question in a round at her last Regional. Thank you Katzel for your efforts in Scholars Bowl and do well in your future endeavors.
Predicting what the next season will hold is like predicting what 2024 will look like four months from now. Every week something different seems to happen in our country and our world. But one thing is for certain for next season, just like in our country, there is great potential for some exciting things to happen but it will be dependent upon who will step up and be committed to the task.
Well done Bulldogs on your 2023-2024 season. Go Dogs!!!