On the weekend of Saturday, April 25, Lafayette County C-1 High School joined 153 of the top quiz bowl teams from small public high schools at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago for the 2026 Small School National Championship Tournament to determine who was the best.

Quiz bowl is a competitive, academic, interscholastic activity for teams of four students. It is the national version of the game that is often locally called Scholar Bowl. Quiz bowl teams use buzzers to answer questions about science, math, history, literature, mythology, geography, social science, current events, sports, and popular culture. The matches feature a blend of individual competition and team collaboration, since no individual player is likely to be an expert in all subject areas. Participation in quiz bowl both reinforces lessons from the classroom and encourages players to develop new intellectual interests.

The team, in the Traditional Public Schools Division, consisted of Alex Dyer, Harper Hayes, Zackery Hunter, Nora Knipmeyer, William Knipmeyer, Landen Logan, Marshall Ridinger, and Mason Sutherland. The team was coached by Christa Bell.

Lafayette County was one of 14 Missouri teams competing at the national championship.

Lafayette County finished the preliminary rounds with a 4-6 record.

Lafayette County C-1 High School played Skyline from near home in round 2, suffering a 255-160 defeat. There were some tense moments. Lafayette County defeated West Point B from Cullman, Alabama by the narrow margin of 205-200 during round 1 and suffered a heartbreakingly narrow loss to Ruidoso from New Mexico, 180-160 during round 9.

Lafayette County was on the brink of elimination when they defeated White Pigeon B from Michigan in round 10 to stay alive. Unfortunately, they lost to Ottawa Hills A from Toledo, Ohio, ending their shot at the playoffs.

The Traditional Public Schools Division champion was the A team from Russell High School Russell, Kentucky. The Open Division champion was the A team from Park Tudor School Indianapolis, Indiana.

The 2026 Small School National Championship Tournament (Traditional Public Schools Division)’s field featured 88 teams from 21 states.

Senior, Alex Erdman of Higginsville, received a $1000 scholarship from the Elk’s Club this week. She was 1 of 10 recipients to receive this scholarship with over 50 students applying.