BROKEN BOW SAVAGES ACADEMIC TEAM
Coach: Rebekah Clowers
OUTLOOK
“The team is doing great this year,” said head coach Rebekah Clowers. “We placed third in the county, and just placed fourth at the regional tournament, securing a place in the Area tournament. I’m excited to see what else these students are going to do.”
Leading the Savages is Kruse Ward, the team’s captain who sets the tone through leadership and clutch performances. “Kruse is an outstanding member of the team,” Clowers said. “He is our team captain and lives up to the name. Being a captain for the Academic Team is not just about scoring the most, it’s about being able to make split-second, under-pressure decisions for team. It’s about listening to all the other members of the team, while still staying true to what they know, as well. The final aspect of being a captain is accepting responsibility when a decision turns out to be wrong. Kruse fulfills all of these characteristics, and he does it with style. He supports and encourages his teammates, he makes the hard decisions, he takes responsibility when decisions don’t work out but shares the glory when they do. On top of all that, he’s a top scorer for the team, coming in clutch with knowledge in areas like math, science, mechanics, and pop culture.”
Sophomore Blake Whitfield has made a major impact as an underclassman. “Blake is a sophomore, but has risen to the top quickly,” Clowers said. “He has had a breakout year, placing in the top 10 individual county scorers. He has a vast knowledge of a variety of topics but specializes in history. I’m excited to see Blake continue to grow and improve over the next few years.”
Emanuel Ibarra is known for his positivity and uplifting spirit. “Emanuel is truly what it means to have a character that counts,” Clowers said. “He is always positive, upbeat, and encouraging. He keeps a good attitude with himself and with his teammates. He always tries to have a good time and help those around him do that, as well.”
Rounding out Broken Bow’s talented roster are Lexton Wallis, Kayedence Young, Will Woolsey, and Tristan Ishcomer, each contributing key strengths across subjects. “Lexton is an integral part of the team,” Clowers said. “He plays with consistency, adding his knowledge of subjects like music, science, and pop culture. Kayedence is new to the team this year but has already proven that she has great potential. Will is a young player but is quickly showing his value. Tristan is new to quiz bowl this year but is very quickly becoming a player to watch.”
