The West Iron County "Wykons" played the Houghton "Gremlins" in the 23-24 High School Bowl Championship and won in overtime by a score of 270-260, marking the first time a final game made it to an overtime round. Thirty-eight schools from the Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin competed in WNMU-TV's High School Bowl tournament, now celebrating 45 years on the air. Northern Michigan University awarded scholarships to the first and second-place winners, with West Iron County receiving $2500 and Houghton $1500 in scholarship funds to be distributed by the schools.
West Iron County High School senior and team captain Rachel Fanous was awarded WNMU-TV’s Dave Goldsmith Scholarship, which is given out annually to an outstanding team member. Fanous participated in High School Bowl for three seasons and was essential in leading the her team to the championship. Rachel will receive $1500 towards her college education.
West Iron County's road to the championship began with a win over Westwood in their first match; and in the “Sweet 16” round they defeated Manistique. The Wykons advanced through the next two rounds with wins over Ironwood and Lake Linden-Hubbell to earn a coveted spot in the championship game. This was the first time West Iron County made it to the finals, and their first time as Season Champions. West Iron's players include Abigail Farley, Jayden McWethy, team captain Rachel Fanous and Rocky Farley. The team is coached by Joel Vanlanen.
Houghton began this season by defeating Hancock in their initial round, and Kingsford in the second. They sealed their spot in the championship with wins over Painesdale-Jeffers in the quarter finals, and Gwinn in the semi finals.
There are a number of ways to watch High School Bowl. Aside from being broadcast on channel 13.1, the program is also available throughout the state of Michigan on the Michigan Learning Channel (13.4) from October through April. You can stream live anytime from our website, WNMU Passport, or the PBS App. Past episodes and seasons are also available online.
Major production funding for High School Bowl is provided by the Donald & Audrey Anderson Foundation. Local support is provided by 13 Upper Peninsula Credit Unions: TruNorth Federal Credit Union, Embers Credit Union, Tahquamenon Area Credit Union, Limestone Federal Credit Union, Soo Co-op Credit Union, Marquette Community Federal Credit Union, Gogebic County Federal Credit Union, Peninsula Federal Credit Union, Torch Lake Federal Credit Union, U.P. State Credit Union, Settlers Federal Credit Union, Northern Lights Community Federal Credit Union, and Baraga Community Federal Credit Union. Local support is also provided by Vincent and Nora Petrucelli, in partnership with the Regional Educational Service Agencies & Intermediate School Districts of the Upper Peninsula.