Cowley Collegiate Quiz Bowl team places 10th at national tournament

Competing at the National Academic Quiz Bowl Community College Championship Tournament on February 23-24 in Rosemont, IL, the Cowley College Quiz Bowl team placed 10^th out of 24 teams.

This marked just the third time in program history that a Cowley Quiz Bowl team has placed in the top 10 at nationals.

“This success was not unexpected; it was a result of the team’s dedicated efforts,” Quiz Bowl head coach Dianne Flickinger said. “They intensified their practice session and explored several study methods to increase their readiness for nationals. Their determination was evident in the remarkable growth of our collegiate quiz bowl program at Cowley College. Their leadership qualities and passion for the competition were influential in their success.”

Cowley went 6-5 at the tournament, while Chipola College in Marianna, FL, placed first with a record of 12-1.

Cowley freshman Jacob Hamick used his great amount of history knowledge to consistently answer 1-2 tossups per round, five times interrupting the question to answer correctly. While, substitute Danny Ball came in at a key time to earn the team extra points and secure three wins in rounds 9, 10, and 11.

Spencer MacLaughlin played in all 12 rounds and consistently answered tossups to earn his team three bonus questions. He answered 32 tossups, with his highest of five tossups in round nine to beat Northeast Mississippi 190-105.

Elias Robson, the team captain, played in all 12 rounds and answered 20 tossups and two powers. His best was in the 11^th round answering six tossups for the team to beat Florida Gateway 190-75.

Laurence Aggson’s best round was in round 12 against Garden City, KS, winning 185-105 when he answered four tossups and one power.

“We were pleased to beat Garden City at Nationals and hope to do the same at state in April,” Flickinger said.

This was Ball and MacLaughlin’s second year to play at nationals, whereas last year was the first year in Cowley’s history to bring two teams to nationals. It was also Robson’s second year to play at nationals.

“The team demonstrated strong teamwork, with each member actively answering toss-ups and bonus questions,” Flickinger said. “However, their eagerness to outpace other teams led to several instances of incurring negative five scores.  This occurred as they attempted to answer questions quickly to secure a victory. In some cases, this interrupted the flow of the winning team.”

Cowley’s individual rankings were led by Spencer MacLaughlin in 20^th place out of 113 players in the nation. Elias Robson placed 38^th, Jacob Hamrick 47^th, Danny Ball 51^st, and Laurence Aggson, 64^th. 

Rama Peroo | Director of Institutional Communication
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
rama.peroo@cowley.edu