The three-day event pitted teams of middle school and high school students from around the country against each other in a head-to-head competition similar to a television game show, with a wide variety of challenging academic questions.
Grand County fielded two teams in the competition, said coach Mike Esten-son, a math teacher at Grand County Middle School. Grand County was the only team from Utah at the event, having won three qualifying regional competitions held earlier this spring.
Grand’s “A” team went 5-1 during pool play on Saturday and Sunday, qualifying them for the 12-team final round on Monday.
“We then lost to Belfry, Kentucky, 260-200,” Estenson said, adding, “Had we chosen ‘blended words’ rather than ‘continents’ as the category in the 60-second bonus round, I think we would have won the game.”
Members of Grand’s “A” team were Kamron Call, Adam Jenkinson, Deanna Irvin, Reyce Knutson, and Nat Smith.
Estenson said Grand’s “B” team didn’t fare as well, going 0-6 in pool play. “I think they were a little intimidated,” he said. Members of that squad were Benni Shumway, Zhanna Rice, Mercedes James, Qordale Tsosie, and Delaney Manley.
“I am so proud of all of them for qualifying for nationals,” added Estenson, who also thanked the parents, community members, and local business sponsors for their support in making the trip possible.
Grand’s players and chaperones were planning to tour the nation’s capital for a few more days before returning home later in the week.