KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — The DODDS-Europe “battle of the brains” this year went to the Wiesbaden High School team, which fittingly called itself the “Brain Eaters.”
Seniors Morgan Stallard and Devan Tisdale, junior Zach Cassou and freshman Dominik Muellerleile topped 21 teams last week in the annual All-Europe Academic Bowl, a Department of Defense Dependents Schools competition that tests students’ knowledge in math, science, social studies, history, culture, language arts and literature.
Led by Stallard, the Wiesbaden team, coached by Travis Schupp, was undefeated in the competition, beating Menwith Hill 170-110 in the final match, said Ray Smola, a Heidelberg teacher, who organized the event with DODDS administrator Faye Batey. Stallard shared tournament most-valuable-player honors with Menwith Hill senior Fisher Shattuck.
Teams went head-to-head over three days of competition at Hambachtal, Germany, to see who could answer the most quick-fire questions: Q: What British ship that sailed to Tahiti ended up sunk in waters just off Pitcairn Island? A: HMS Bounty. Q: What category of tissues is removed through liposuction? A: Adipose tissue.
Menwith Hill, in England, is one of the smallest schools in DODDS-Europe. It “had an incredible comeback victory in the semi-finals match against Heidelberg, after being down by 45 points at halftime,” Smola said in an email. Heidelberg, in its last year before the high school closes, finished third overall, while Kaiserslautern High School was fourth.
Along with Shattuck, the Menwith Hill squad was composed of junior Sean Lambert, sophomore Elizabeth Wagner and freshman Casey Lambert. Menwith Hill coach Patrick Brew said the team practiced every other day beginning in late October, studying current events, the periodic table, questions from other quiz bowls and more.
