Over 40 teams compete at ESU 9′s quiz bowl

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) - It’s quiz bowl week in Hastings, and over 40 schools brought their talents to the North Shore Church.

Educational Service Unit 9 gathered schools from throughout its area for the first day of the competition. Day one featured the elementary school kids showing off their expertise. Wednesday is dedicated to the high schoolers, then Thursday is junior high’s day to shine.

Schools from as far as Sutton and Aurora stepped up to the buzzer to handle a variety of questions, and one Aurora sixth grader said she’s grown in her years of doing quiz bowl.

“I think it was fun to watch our younger team compete, it just reminds us of our first year,” said Adalyn Arendt, sixth grader. “You kinda struggle sometimes, but it’s a lot of fun and you power through it and you get better.”

Organizers said this year is one of the most attended yet.

“We have an all time high of teams here this year, this is the largest elementary quiz bowl we have ever had,” said Amy Schultz, ESU 9. “I believe we have 45 teams here today, and just that atmosphere alone when you see the enormity of the event and the amount of students that are here today that come to compete in an academic quiz bowl makes it such a cool event.”

The top two finishers from each ESU competition will go on to the state quiz bowl tournament, which will also take place in Hastings in April.

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