The Mid-October Classic – Action Packed Quiz Bowl

The White Cloud Quiz Bowl Team

The Jan Rademacher Memorial Quiz Bowl Invitational

Article by Stephen Smith
Photos Courtesy of Isabel Karnes, IK Photos
​
So, we’re back at it once more with brisk autumn climes, changing colors, falling leaves, and all things quiz bowl. While there’s a chill in the air, the thrill of the mid-October classic, the Jan Rademacher Memorial Quiz Bowl Invitational, is certainly here, too. The academic showcase was held under the aegis of White Cloud Public Schools on Saturday, October 14, 2023, marking the 21st iteration of the tournament first held in 2003.The field of competition was quite impressive with 13 different schools, hailing from both Michigan and Indiana, and featuring 29 entries in total. Of the 13 schools that entered the fray, all were last year’s state finalists and national qualifiers. Matches for the day were excitingly close, certainly entertaining, and sensationally thrilling for everyone involved in the academic fanfare that is quiz bowl.

Returning this year as the defending state champions, and competing in their first tournament of the season, the White Cloud Varsity A Quiz Bowl contingent (7-2) battled for victories all morning and afternoon. The team triumphed over Ionia B (310-40), White Cloud B (255-50), East Grand Rapids B (300-65), Roscommon A (255-145), Holland A (285-110), Roscommon B (200-55), and Kalamazoo Christian B (330-80). In a highly anticipated rematch, the Varsity Indians faltered in the last minutes of the match to Kalamazoo Christian A (125-165), the previous year’s state runner-up. White Cloud fell in a heartbreaker 205- 215 on the final tossup question of the match to John Adams B, the eventual finalist for the grand championship of the tournament. Even still, the efforts over the course of the day paid off brilliantly, and the team qualified for the State Competition for the 35th time, an all-time Class C-D record in Michigan. Perhaps even more astounding and extraordinary, the team also qualified to Nationals for the 27th time in the school’s history.

Front row (pictured left to right): Sam Viher, Jarrett Warlick, Captain Brian Schaefer, Wyatt Karnes Back row: proud father, Joe Karnes and grandma, Paula Vining

Varsity B players perform a quick cheer with Assistant Coach Arnie Baker

Pictured from left to right: Keith Derks, Peggy Derks, Captain Brian Schaefer, Sally Thomas, and Coach Stephen Smith

Now examining individual exploits, the Varsity A quartet was led in scoring by two-time All-State senior Captain Brian Schaefer, the recipient of the prestigious Brian Derks Award for most points scored by a White Cloud player with 480 points. Wyatt Karnes erupted for an additional healthy portion of 250 points. Sam Viher heaped on another impressive 130 points, and Jarrett Warlick chimed in with 75 points. Exhibiting a tremendous all-around incredible effort, the team gained 2,265 total points in the tournament and averaged an astonishing 277.91 points per game.

Growing in membership, knowledge, and experience, White Cloud currently fields four additional teams. Focusing on the White Cloud Varsity B, the contingent picked up two quality wins against Kalamazoo Christian B (115-70) and Ionia B (155-100). Leading the squad in scoring with an outstanding number of points was Anna Mohr with 165. Captain Annie Feldpausch added in a substantial point total of 90. Charlotte Karnes and Samantha Kukal contributed 60 and 55 points, respectively.  

In JV divisional action, White Cloud’s Junior Varsity A competed valiantly earning two victories over Roscommon JV (225-20) and White Cloud JV B (190-10). Captain Liam Povey led the team in scoring with a remarkable 260 points, followed by Tyler Higgins’s solid 105 points. Landon Edwards added 30 more still. Leah Vining helped out her team with bonus questions. The Junior Varsity B acquired an enormous amount of gameplay knowledge with Trysten Tancock leading the pack with 35 points, Captain Arsyn Balke had 25 points, Rhoen Wade notched up 20 points, and Kacie Kailing pitched in with 10 points. The Junior Varsity C team demonstrated their academic prowess by winning three matches against White Cloud JV A (140-30), White Cloud JV B (190-5), and Roscommon JV (145-50). In a scoring barrage, Captain Mason D’Lamater marked up an astounding 315 points, which led the team. Brain Loveless revealed his depth of knowledge by gaining 130 points. Brayden Perdue tallied up 45 points, and Annabelle Bird grabbed up 10 points for the day. Quin Rose was a morale booster and assisted on bonus questions.

While the White Cloud Quiz Bowl Team enjoyed an overabundance of success on Saturday, it is important to recognize, remember, and honor those who have contributed to the team’s accomplishments. First and foremost, it is imperative to remember Jan Rademacher, longtime volunteer assistant coach and namesake of our tournament who passed away August 23, 2003, and to honor Brian Derks, leading scorer, and state and national qualifier for White Cloud. He died tragically in Iraq on August 13, 2005, as he was serving his country and his God.

Amazing volunteer moderators, judges, score keepers, and staff for the tournament!

Additionally, Coach Stephen Smith and assistant coaches Allison McPhall, Arnie Baker, Dallas Dowling, and Cameron Karnes wish to thank the following people for making the Jan Rademacher Memorial Quiz Bowl Invitational the major success that it was.

Coach Emeritus
Tony McHattie
Registrar/Greeters:
Pat Ebenstein
Peggy Derks
Keith Derks

Financial Supporters:
Pat Ebenstein
Media:
David Hewitt and Inside Newsletter
Ken De Laat and Near North Now
Rich Wheater and Times Indicator
Joyce Pearson
Leanne Krystiniak
Debby Reinhold

School Announcements:
Jolene Alger
Tracey Foster
Rebecca Nichols

Moderators:
Anthony Solis-Victoria
Marie Davis
Chad Fetterley
Karen D’Lamater
Carl VanFaasen
Denise Alleman
Ron Phillips
David Feldpausch
Mike Feldpausch
Chelsea Webb
Tracy Trimm
Joe May
Asa Wyers
Dan Dipple

Judges:
Rhonda Hedlund
Steve Fetterley
Eric Fetterley
Megan Cruzan
Lisa Zook
Mark Robinson
Harry Stevens
Jamie Fletcher
Amber Viher
Courtney Foondle
Adam Fitzmaurice
Royce Zook
Jana Dakin
Riki Edwards

Seated Scorers:
Chuck Christiansen
Sally (Derks) Thomas
Bonnie Fetterley
Cordell Talbott
Vicki Burke
Jessica Higgins
Malachi Graves
Delton Dowling
Zane Keith
Sara Gorman
Bree Fitzmaurice
Amber VanBoxel
Conner Dakin
John D’Lamater

Standing Scorers:
Kaylee Nichols
Emily Hedlund
Mel Morris
Jay Fesseden
Brooklyn Foondle
Carson Foondle
Tristan McHaney
Nina Bird
Aiden Zook
Steven Zook

Electronic Scoring Officials:
Brent Foondle
Becki Kukal

NAQT Statisticians:
Andrea Atwood
Holly Bowman

Signage / Technology:
Ralph Herwig

Awards:
Dee Burkle, Awards and More
Pam Christoffersen
Betty Bolles

Quiz Bowl Banner:
Brian Scarbrough, Lakeshore Signs LLC

Business Management Team:
Brent Foondle
Ed Canning
Erin Canning

Photographer:
Isabel Karnes, IK Photos

Award Presenters:
Keith Derks
Peggy Derks
Sally (Derks) Thomas

WMJ Custodial Staff:
Sandra Temple
Jessica Magnan
Laurie McDaniel
Ariel Delayo-Rodriguez
Angel Ogg

White Cloud High School Student Council:
Courtney Dolan, Adviser
Mason Cruzan
Carson Foondle
Brittany Ringler
Brooklyn Foondle
Annie Feldpausch
Harleigh Caruso
Charleigh Scott?
Emily Hedlund
Wyatt Karnes
Allie Rodriguez
Jay Fesseden
Arsyn Balke
Kaylee Nichols
Landon Edwards
Nina Capallia-Bird
Student Council provided food for all volunteers for the event! Thank you!

Lunch Personnel:
John Rosenberg and the White Cloud Food Service
Ashley Robinson, Subway
Stephanie Karnes
Laura Warlick
​
Lunch Hostesses:
Pat Ebenstein
Peggy Derks
Keith Derks

​