Staff writer
In its first match of the championship round of the scholars bowl state tournament Saturday, Goessel answered just one question correctly.
Oddly, that was enough to defeat Frankfort 5-0.
“What an unusual match to begin the championship round,” said head coach Wes Schmidt-Tieszen.
The Bluebirds answered the first question correctly, scoring 10 points. They lost 5 points when on another question they rang in early and guessed wrong.
Neither team scored again.
“A game like that is terrifying”, said assistant coach Andrew Voth.
Goessel lost to Satanta, 45-20, and Hanover, 50-20. The Bluebirds rebounded with a win against Linn, 80-20, and then went up against undefeated Immaculata.
Goessel fell behind 40-5, but then scored three correct answers to trail 40-35. The teams traded correct answers, with Immaculata winning, 50-45.
Goessel tied for third place with Hanover, and lost a tie-breaker to place fourth in the tournament, which was contested at Goessel.
“We consider it a good day,” said senior Alicen Meysing, who now has two medals from state championships. “The way we played in the last game showed how we played together as a team all season. We did not give up even though behind.”
The Bluebirds went 4-1 in pool play to advance to the finals.
The state tournament team included seniors Zach Wiens, Jordan Schmucker, Luke Unruh, and Meysing, junior Jen Meysing, and freshman Edel Miller.