On Saturday, March 4, the Scholar Knights competed in the 34th annual Masonic Academic Bowl State Tournament. While the Knights finished third in pool play with a 3-2 record, they did not advance to the playoff for the state title.
In round one, the Knights faced their South Central Scholastic League rival Piasa Southwestern. After twenty-five questions, Mater Dei led 150-130, but could not maintain the lead as Piasa avenged their December loss to the Knights, winning 230-170. In round two against Macomb, the Knights were back on track, extending their 170-50 lead at halftime to a final score of 300-150 for the victory. Mater Dei faced the defending IHSA State Champions, Chicago Latin, in round three. The Knights stayed within striking distance, trailing 150-130 through twenty-four questions, but Chicago Latin converted fifty points on a bonus and went on to defeat Mater Dei 240-150. In round four, the Knights once again bounced back and were victorious against Farmington with a final score of 250-130. In the pool play finale, Mater Dei faced Williamsville, the number one seed in the IHSA Pleasant Plains Sectional. Williamsville nursed their lead throughout the first half, but the Knights seized the lead at question twenty-two and finished with a 220-200 victory.
Ben Logullo led the Knights with a total of sixteen toss ups, followed by Ethan Schumacher (9), John Hund (7), Nick Toennies (3) and Jaden Meadows (1). Alex Rivera, Alex Norris, John Hilmes, and Minh Le also contributed to the team’s 3-2 success.
