Scholastic team ends season with third-place finish

Wheaton North High School's Scholastic Bowl team finished an impressive season Friday with a third-place finish in the state tournament.

The team secured third place by defeated Springfield High School 371-133 during the state tournament in Peoria. Wheaton North ended its season with an 84-3 record.

"We had the best record in the state," said Susan Martin, who's been coaching the team for 23 years. "We just had a great season, and we had a lot of fun."

This is the eighth year in a row that the team has won a trophy during the state tournament. Wheaton North won first place three times, second place three times, third place once and fourth place once.

Team captain Greg Gauthier said this year was the best season he's ever had.

"I feel that we've absolutely done great work over these four years, and it's been truly outstanding that we've been able to show such consistency," the 18-year-old senior said.

"I think it's been one of the best activities I've done in my high school career," Gauthier added.

Martin said the team won 12 tournaments this season and might participate in a national tournament in the coming months.

"We just had a good year," she said. "We have a great bunch of kids and they have a great attitude."

The team traditionally begins practicing in September and continues on until graduation.

"We've had quite a run," Martin said. "It's been great."

The team's members include assistant coach Phyllis Kidd and students Gauthier, Jonathan Irving, Kevin Ngo, Jeff Sommars, Sam Krc, Katie Nyenhuis, Linda Young, Mollie Hess and Mike Perovanock.

Rockford's Auburn High School beat Stevenson High school in the championship, 234-197.