Undefeated in the recent Alabama Scholastic Competition Association district tournament, the Russellville High School Scholars Bowl team, currently made up of six members, is now qualified for participation in the state tournament, which will take place April 12 at Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham.

“I knew they stood a really good chance because they’ve been working really hard studying, and each of them has an area they specialize in,” explained the team’s coach, Susan DeArman. “We went to Athens State for the first time. We used to always go to Northwest Shoals for our district competition, but the state organization has reclassified into three divisions where we used to have two, so we’re playing different schools.”

The team won matches against New Century Technology High School, Lee High School, Athens High School and Decatur High School. Dalton Stoltz, the only senior, as well as captain of the team, scored the highest number of points for RHS. “We’re really going to miss him next year,” DeArman said.

The other five members of the team are juniors.

“My team won the state championship two years ago,” she continued. “I’ve been coaching this team for almost 15 years, and for the first time ever, I wasn’t able to take a team to the junior varsity tournament because I don’t have any ninth or tenth graders.”

DeArman is encouraging younger students to consider trying out for the team. “These upcoming ninth and tenth graders need to be in Scholars Bowl! It’s so much fun, and Northwest Shoals Community College gives their biggest scholarship to a Scholars Bowl student.”

Those interested in joining the team should contact DeArman for more information.