Wallace State Quiz Bowl members are, from left, sponsor Christine O’Leary, Ross Wallace, Zakk Waddell, Derik Arendall and Paul Knetter.
HANCEVILLE – Wallace State’s Quiz Bowl team recently accomplished a feat sponsor Christine O’Leary hasn’t witnessed in 20+ years as the coach.
Wallace State’s team, made up of four freshmen, won all three tournaments it competed in this fall, including the 2016 Desoto Disquietude tournament at Central Alabama Community College on Dec. 2.
“I can’t remember us ever winning three tournaments in a row right off the bat, especially with four freshmen. These guys really do an outstanding job and came to me this way after three of them were so successful at West Point,” said O’Leary, a physics instructor on campus. “They practice hard and love to compete. They truly are a team. One of our players is a history buff, another focuses on literature and math and so on. They definitely pick each other up and want to have every subject covered.”
Zakk Waddell, Ross Wallace, Derik Arendall and Paul Knetter are the team members. Waddell, Wallace and Arendall are West Point High graduates. Knetter is from Gardendale.
The team began the fall season at Faulkner State on Oct. 23 and earned first place among a 24-team field, including community colleges from Alabama, Mississippi and Texas. Waddell was the top individual scorer, tallying 730 points throughout the tournament, and Wallace placed fourth individually.
They followed it up with another first-place finish at Bevill State on Nov. 18, winning the top spot among 18 teams. Waddell finished second overall individually and Wallace third.
Wallace State’s most recent win occurred at Central Alabama on Dec. 2.
Wallace State’s next tournament is Jan. 20 at Jeff State, where they’ll compete in a qualifying event for the National Academic Quiz Tournaments (NAQT). Wallace State is a member of the Alabama College Bowl League.
For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu.
