May 10, 2021

North Platte celebrating first ever Scholar Bowl state championship

Posted May 10, 2021 6:56 PM
North Platte's senior members of the 2021 state champion Scholar Bowl team. From left to right: Reece Hinton, Jakob Scroggins, Jonas Pelot and Shelby Stapleton. Photo by Tommy Rezac.
North Platte's senior members of the 2021 state champion Scholar Bowl team. From left to right: Reece Hinton, Jakob Scroggins, Jonas Pelot and Shelby Stapleton. Photo by Tommy Rezac.

By TOMMY REZAC

St. Joseph Post

DEARBORN - Prior to this semester, it had been nearly 23 years since North Platte High School had hung a state championship banner of any kind.

After sharing in a wrestling state title with Mid-Buchanan in March, North Platte brought home more hardware with a dominant Scholar Bowl season - capped off by a 250-170 win over Greenwood in the Class 2 state championship in Columbia last Thursday.

"After having our season taken away last year, I feel like we were motivated to win and do better this year," said senior team member Shelby Stapleton. "To win state shows our accomplishments and all that we've done this year to get better, and...yeah. It's awesome."

The Panthers finished the season with a 14-1 record - their lone loss coming to East Buchanan on April 5. They reeled off seven consecutive victories after that.

"It was just a great finish to our season," said senior Reece Hinton. "With the last couple seasons and losing at sectionals two years ago, it was nice to come back and make it to state and win."

They came close to state in 2019 when they won districts, but lost in sectionals. Before that, North Platte Scholar Bowl had finished second at state in 1998 and third in '99.

Prior to 2021, the only other sport to win state at North Platte was football in '98.

"Being one of the first state champions in school history is a huge accomplishment," said senior Jonas Pelot. "It's something we can look back on in our high school careers and just be really proud of."

Shelly Meyer-Day, who's coached Scholar Bowl at North Platte for a decade, could tell early on that this year's group was capable of big things.

"Even freshman year, you knew that this group was going to be special," Meyer-Day said. "That they were going to pretty far, and they're a lot of fun. They have high academic standards for themselves, but they're very social and very capable that way.

"Sometimes, when you get kids that are just so smart, that social part is lacking. With these kids, they've got it all.  They are so well-rounded, it's amazing."

While it's not as physically demanding as traditional sports, winning a state title in Scholar Bowl takes a great deal of dedication. The team practiced every morning at 7 a.m. unless there was a match.

Each team member brings a certain strength, or area of expertise, to the table. Pelot is a history enthusiast. Senior and team captain Jakob Scroggins reams information from his school textbooks. Senior Reece Hinton enjoys math and music.

Stapleton enjoys the pop culture and current events questions.

"I know a bunch of random stuff," she said. "I'm more focused on Broadway and musicals and pop culture. The other guys are focused on the actual knowledge stuff. I just know the stuff I watch on the news and everything."

Meyer-Day says the academics and the knowledge are important, but the team enjoys the social aspect of Scholar Bowl just as much.

"It's not just about academics," she said. "It's also about relationships and enjoying your friends and having a good time, too."

North Platte's JV and varsity Scholar Bowl team had a combined 14 members this year. With four senior members graduating this year, including herself, Stapleton hopes the enrollment and the enthusiasm for Scholar Bowl can grow.

Especially after such a historic run.

"I know there's a bunch of kids excited about it now," Stapleton said. "I have kindergarteners coming up to me saying, 'Oh my gosh I'm so proud of you!' It just made me super happy, and the fact they want to do that and are looking to us as role models makes me happy."

The North Platte Scholar Bowl state trophy. Photo by Tommy Rezac.
The North Platte Scholar Bowl state trophy. Photo by Tommy Rezac.
A banner in the main lobby at North Platte High School celebrating the Panthers' sectional championship this season. Photo by Tommy Rezac.
A banner in the main lobby at North Platte High School celebrating the Panthers' sectional championship this season. Photo by Tommy Rezac.

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.