The Kirkland Junior High Academic Games team (formally a part of the National Academic League) had an undefeated season, clinching the District Championship recently, and advancing to the national level of play. Coached by KJH math teacher Amy Myhre with assistance from KJH science teacher Michael Cummings, 16 students practiced extra hours to represent not only Kirkland Junior High and the Lake Washington School District, but the state of Washington as well, in the rigorous national competition games.
The team played via teleconferencing a team from Baldi Middle School, a choice school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Despite technological glitches, the team remained calm during questioning sessions and presentations and emerged victorious with a score of 38 to 35. Upon advancing to the “Elite Eight,” the KJH team played another choice school from Philadelphia, Masterman Middle School who has won the national title several times. The KJH students were tied after the first quarter, tied after the second quarter, and spent the fourth quarter within two to four points to lose by a mere 6 points with a score of 47 to 53.
The 2008-2009 Academic Games team includes Jake Nash, Reily Blackner, Maria Dawson, Nikola Lakic, Jessica Lund, Kent Oshiro, Austin Myhre, Lia Roberds, Chloe Nash, Stephanie Kim, Rachel Elliott, Dakota Campbell, Zach Oelsner, Sarah Dawson, James Whitfield, and Mark Hedreen.
