The Callaway High School quiz bowl team has had an outstanding season, and is now in the process of preparing for the state competition in Hastings on April 30.

This year’s team consists of seniors Dawson Mason, Uotong Haidle, and Addison Bailey; and juniors, Neltje Reiff, Cheney Dishman, Dylan Pandorf, Caleb Furrow, and Nyachay Haidle. The team is coached by Cathy Leibhart.

The season began at Amherst, where Callaway won three and lost three rounds. They then traveled to Merna and finished in second place in their pool. The third meet of the season was at home as CHS hosted a 12-team competition in which Callaway finished in fifth place overall.

At the next meet in Stapleton, they came in third, and the team finished in fourth place at the MNAC tournament.

The final meet of the regular season was the ESU tournament held at UNK in Kearney. All classes participate in this 35-team meet.

Representing Callaway were Dawson, Addison, Uotong, Cheney, Dylan, and Nyachay. It was the perfect time for the team to peak, and that they did, as they beat their four opponents on the south side of the bracket to move on and compete against the winner of the north side bracket. Callaway won that battle.

With it being a double elimination tournament, Callaway then had to compete against Gothenburg who had also beaten the north bracket winner in a rematch. Gothenburg won setting up a second match between the two teams, which Gothenburg also won. Callaway finished in second place in the tournament and earned silver medals for their efforts.

The team is now hoping to take everything they have learned this season, and build on the momentum of the Kearney meet, as they compete at State.