Clinton Middle Captures Academic Team Crown

Clinton Middle School is known for its fine efforts in athletics, fine arts, and academics. The Clinton Middle School Academic Team most recently won the Western Piedmont Educational Consortium (WPEC) Academic Team competition last Wednesday and Thursday evening, March 9-10, defeating Westview Middle in Greenwood twice in the double elimination format.

Much like the popular game show Jeopardy, the competition is a fast-paced team of four competition of consultation and buzz-in rounds. Questions come from all categories of study including fine arts, math, science, social studies, English grammar, American and world literature, and current events.

The season ran from late January to late February with four competitions/scrimmages prior to the WPEC championship.

1/27/22

Clinton  29  Brewer  18

Clinton  29  Edgewood  25

Clinton  20  Mid Carolina  29

2/10/22

Clinton  38  Sanders  8

Clinton  38  Laurens  14

Clinton  40  Gray Court-Owings 3

2/17/22

Westview 21  Clinton 36

Clinton  27  Hickory Tavern  17

Clinton  25  Laurens  16

2/24/22

Clinton  29  Mid Carolina  24

Clinton  34  Brewer  13

Clinton  43  Sanders 5

Unlike the scrimmages and initial competitions, the WPEC Academic Competition divides schools into two groups:Large Schools and Small Schools. Clinton played in the Large School Division.

Clinton’s team displayed keen teamwork and splendid speed to win the championship against very good competition. The championship tourney featured Clinton paired with Brewer, Westview, and Mid-Carolina. CMS defeated Brewer (36 – 22)  in the opening round of competition and then Westview (39 – 24) on Wednesday evening. They defeated Westview again (38 – 23) on Thursday to claim the championship.

Clinton Middle will join Clinton High (which won the high school championship in December) at state on Friday, March 25 in Kershaw County.

The team has eleven members: Jackie Alcudia, Madison Edgins, Gemma Gearheart, Gabriel Haupfear, Sam Hunt, Salaam Jenkins, Jacob King, Matthew King, Ty Medlin, Ada Tiller, and Marlee Williamson.

The team’s head coach is Terri O’Shields and the team bus driver/statistician is Hugh Pace.

Congratulations go to this team as well as its CHS counterparts…best wishes at state competition on March 25. The District is very proud of your hard-earned accomplishment.