Envirothon team qualifies for state competition!

In 2006 and 2007 the Grundy Center Envirothon team was left standing at the threshold of the state competition. This year the Spartans have been asked in. Congratulations to Cassie Anderson, Brittannee Deeringer, Leah Hogle, Marcus Schuller and Amanda Stefl for earning an invitation to state. The competition will be held on Monday, April 21 at Spring Brook State Park. This marks Grundy Center’s fifth appearance at the state Envirothon, and the first since 2003.

Teams qualify by competing in regional events. At regionals, teams are quizzed on their knowledge of four basic areas of environmental science: Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Soils and Wildlife Management. There are five competition sites available: Chariton, Des Moines, Iowa City, Red Oak, and Waterloo. Based on regional scores, the top 15 teams are invited to Springbrook. The winner of the state competition advances to the national competition.

After the last of the regional competitions was over, the Spartans found themselves in a four way tie for the the 14th spot. Based on the tie-breaker (regional score in the soils competition) the Spartans claimed the 14th spot. The 15th and final berth went to Bellvue. Waverly-Shellrock and Maquoketa will have to wait until next year. A total of forty-one teams participated at the various regional sites.

The Spartans certainly know what it’s like to be left behind. In 2006 they finished 16th (One half point behind the number 15 team!). In 2007 they were in a two team tie for the number 15 spot and lost the tiebreaker! It’s nice to not have the short end of the stick this year.

The Waterloo regional was hosted by Hawkeye Community College. The Grundy Center Team had strong performances in wildlife management (2nd place) and soils (3rd place). The team will be spending some time improving their knowledge of aquatic ecology and forestry. The team was coached by Don Osterhaus and Robert Meir, and was sponsored by the Grundy County NRCS. A special thank you to Robert and the NRCS for their support.

The list of qualifying teams is as follows:

1. Decorah (Propaganda Pandas)

2. North Polk (FFA II)

3. Decorah (Tracks and Scats)

4. Waverly-Shellrock (Goldeneyes)

5. Marshalltown

6. Orient Macksburg I

7. Madrid

8. Winterset (Horned Frogs)

9. Riceville (FFA I)

10. Bellvue (FFA II)

11. North Polk (FFA I)

12. Northwood Kensett

13. Iowa City West A

14. Grundy Center (Treesles)*

15. Bellvue (FFA I)