PORT TOWNSEND — The 2019 Port Townsend High School Knowledge Bowl team won the 1A state championship in Yakima.
The team competed against 17 other 1A schools from around the state at the March 23 competition at West Valley High School in Yakima. In the finals, they beat out Henrietta Lacks High School from Vancouver and Freeman High School from Rockford, near Spokane.
“We always tell people that Port Townsend schools and our community create some of the most talented academic students out there. It’s great to see that reflected in a State Knowledge Bowl victory,” coach Benjamin Dow said.
Knowledge Bowl is a Jeopardy-style team quiz competition covering the whole expanse of a high-end high school curriculum.
“To succeed takes a lot of knowledge, a lot of speed and a little luck with the questions breaking towards your team’s strengths,” said team captain Gabe Petrick, a senior.
Petrick said the team played together well — staying calm and keeping positive through the long hours of the state tournament.
“This was a great accomplishment to end a year where our Knowledge Bowl team really grew,” coach Julianne Dow said.
“We had nearly 30 students participating this year, and that level of involvement really strengthened our State Team.”
Participating in the state competition along with Petrick were seniors Raphael Bakin, Jules Short and Henry Stier, and juniors Lou Babik and Karen Absher.
In the 2A contest, Sequim was rated eighth and Port Angeles ninth.
