Pictured are Karl Wittenburg, Cory Conway, Isaiah Evensvold and Dylon Villines.
For the first time since 1993, the Coffeyville Red Ravens claimed the state championship in the community college State Academic Excellence Challenge competition. The Ravens went a perfect 8-0 in the state tournament hosted by Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kan.
Coffeyville started the tournament by defeating Garden City 310-230. The Ravens then sneaked past Cloud County 300-270. After that close call, the Ravens would start a dominating run.
Coffeyville hammered Fort Scott 380-140 and Dodge City 380-150 in back-to-back matches. The run continued with a 380-220 win over Allen County and a 340-190 win over Neosho County. Coffeyville wrapped up the state championship with consecutive wins over Cowley, winning the first match 350-280 and then claiming a 370-210 win over the Tigers in the championship match.
The state title is the school's first since 1993 and the fourth overall in school history. Coffeyville had previously won the state championship in 1986, 1991 and 1993. The quiz bowl-esque competition stated in 1986 and all Kansas community colleges are eligible to compete. This year, eight community colleges competed in the activity.
Coffeyville's Karl Wittenburg ranked third individually at this year's state tournament. Wittenburg, a freshman from Kennesaw, Ga., answered 59 toss-up questions in eight rounds. Wittenburg is the grandson of long-time CCC faculty member and current Phi Theta Kappa sponsor Linda McFate.
Sophomore teammate Isaiah Evensvold tied for tenth individually by answering 21 toss-ups in eight rounds. South Coffeyville freshman Dylon Villines ranked 19th individually, and Cory Conway, a sophomore from Towanda, Kan., ranked 26th.
“I am extremely proud of this team," said team sponsor Emily Washburn. "They spent many hours preparing and their efforts have been rewarded.”
Students who are interested in competing can contact Washburn at (620) 252-7011. Scholarships are available.