About

Winnebago’s scholastic bowl team was founded in 1981 by Hall of Fame Coach Karen Niemeier, who is a foundational figure in the history of scholastic bowl in Illinois. She is the namesake of one of the state Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year Awards. After Coach Niemeier’s retirement in 2010, the team was briefly coached by longtime JV coach Dr. Les Fay and by Tracy Kast. Kristin Strey has coached the team since the 2014-2015 season.

Records and leaderboards from Strey’s coaching years are maintained in this spreadsheet

State Championship Tournaments

2024 IHSA State Class A Second Place
2024 NAQT State 20th Place Overall/4th Place Small School
2023 IHSA State Class A Third Place
2023 Masonic State Class 2A Fifth Place (tied)
2023 NAQT State 13th Place Overall/4th Place Small School
2022 IHSA State Class A Third Place
2022 Masonic State Class 2A Fifth Place (tied)
2019 IHSA State Class A Fourth Place
2006 IHSA State Class A Third Place
1995 IHSA State Class A State Champions
1994 IHSA State Class A Third Place
1993 IHSA State Class A State Champions

IHSA Sectional Champions: 2024 · 2023 · 2022 · 2019 · 2010 · 2006 · 2001 · 1996 · 1995 · 1994 · 1993 · 1992 · 1989
IHSA Regional Champions: 2024 · 2023 · 2022 · 2021 · 2020 · 2019 · 2018 · 2010 · 2009 · 2008 · 2007 · 2006 · 2005 · 2004 · 2001 · 1998 · 1997
Masonic Sectional Champions: 2023 · 2022

Conference Championships

Big Northern Conference Champions: 2024 · 2023 · 2022 · 2020 · 2019 · 2008 · 2006 · 2005 · 2004 · 1995 · 1994 · 1993 · 1992 · 1989 · 1987
Big Northern Conference JV Champions: 2022 · 2019

All-State Players

Merrick Hill: 2024 Class A Second Team
Carson Jacobson: 2024 Class A Second Team, 2023 Class A Second Team
William Samuel “Sam” Asplund: 2023 Class A First Team, 2022 Class A First Team
Hannah Jacobson: 2022 Class A Second Team
Zane Smalley: 2019 Class A First Team, 2018 Class A First Team
Aaron Mitchell: 2010 Class A First Team
Deidra Hong: 2009 Class A First Team
Madeline Dillner: 2008 Class A First Team
Brad Fischer: 2006 Class A First Team, 2005 Class A First Team
Edward Visel: 2005 Class A Second Team
Brent “BJ” Houlding: 2004 Class A First Team
Adam Crandall: 2002 Class A First Team (first year All-State was awarded)

All-Sectional Players

2024: Carson Jacobson, Merrick Hill, Charlotte Maher
2023: William Samuel “Sam” Asplund, Carson Jacobson, Dillan Rinehart
2022: William Samuel “Sam” Asplund, Carson Jacobson, Hannah Jacobson
2020: Davy Lyons, Hannah Jacobson, [honorable mention: Hannah Eichenberger]
2019: Zane Smalley, Natalie Howell, Trevor Vice
2018: Zane Smalley, Trevor Vice, Natalie Howell
2017: Zane Smalley, [honorable mention: Trevor Vice]
2016: Zane Smalley, [honorable mentions: Evan Scholl, Trevor Vice]
2015: Nicholas Zarembski
2012: Ron Hanson
2011: Rob Hansen
2010: Aaron Mitchell
2009: Deidra Hong
2008: Madeline Dillner, Graham Johnson
2007: Madeline Dillner, Kristin Strey
2006: Brad Fischer
2005: Brad Fischer, Edward Visel
2004: Brent “BJ” Houlding, Ryan Bland
2003: Adam Crandall, Brent “BJ” Houlding
2002: Adam Crandall (first year All-Sectional was awarded)

More Information

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