On Friday, March 14, the Malad High School Academic Team headed for University Place in Idaho Falls to compete in the Idaho Western Regional High School Science Bowl competition. The Malad team, comprised of Alex Christensen, Joe Willie, Joshua Pickett, Jens Huckaby, Micah Butler, Jaden Price, and Daisy Huckaby (alternate) won third place in the INL-sponsored event. Their coach/adviser is Jennie McClain, a math teacher at Malad High School.

At the high school competition, teams begin competing by school size. With eight Class C (small) schools, the teams were divided into two pods with Malad competing against Butte County, Mackay, and Wendell.  Adviser Jennie McClain felt pretty confident about the Malad’s team’s chances when she overheard another coach say, “Malad terrifies me.” That statement was for good reason as the Malad High School team had “demolished the competition,” said Mrs. McClain.  

In Round 1, Malad beat Butte County 195-10, Wendell 140-25, and Mackay 90-55. As three teams moved to the Championship Round from Class C, Butte County defeated Jerome from Class A to reach the Championship Round.

In the Championship Round, the size of school does not matter. In Round 1 Malad beat Skyline of Idaho Falls 85-70. In Round 2, Malad lost to the eventual overall winner, Twin Falls, 205-45. In Round 3, Malad beat Challis 110-55, thereby winning 3rd place. Twin Falls High School will go to Washington, DC, one of two teams to represent Idaho in the National High School Science Bowl.

At the awards ceremony, the team received their 3rd place trophy, and a medal was given to Josh Pickett for his major contribution to the team.