The Republic High School Scholar Bowl team is building momentum with success this season and a goal of winning its first-ever district championship. A strong performance with a 3-1 record at its home Halloween tournament and a first-place finish at Webb City’s online tournament on January 11 have increased expectations for the team. The addition of two sophomores — Noah Haigler and Allie Day, who had previously competed for the junior varsity team — could also give the team a boost heading into its last few tournaments. They’ll join captain Caleb Watson, Chris Davis, Colten Glendenning, James Noggle, and Dominic Ochoa on the varsity squad.
Watson’s role as captain involves making decisions during matches, such as adjusting team member positions based on their performance and confidence levels. “It’s mostly about how good you’re feeling in the moment,” Watson said, explaining that players sometimes need a break from the rapid-fire questions. It’s his job to recognize that and bring in another player.
The team attributes part of its success to its specialization of team members in specific subjects, a strategy that has proven effective in competitions. “One person isn’t going to know a subject better than somebody who only focuses on that subject,” Watson said. Whether it’s a specialist to handle complicated math questions or players who are well-versed in geography or literature, the specialization gives Republic an opportunity to know a wider range of subjects with any given panel of four players.
Watson’s leadership and strategic decisions are integral to the team’s success, but his initial involvement with the quiz bowl was almost unexpected. “I’ve always been good at trivia, and honestly, I didn’t know the club existed before last year,” Watson said. As soon as he learned about it, Watson knew it was the kind of thing he’d enjoy.
Republic’s Scholar Bowl success is also tied to its practice sessions. The team meets every Thursday, dividing into teams to practice with questions and buzzers just like in tournaments.
With upcoming tournaments in Carthage on February 8 and Ozark on February 15, the team is focused on maintaining its solid performance. Republic will host the Class 6 District 4 tournament and will be competing against teams from Branson, Carthage, Nixa, Ozark, and Webb City.