La Jolla High wins big at Scripps’ Surf Bowl

Teams from 16 area high schools competed in the 11th annual National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB), a one-day regional contest that tests students’ knowledge of marine sciences, held Feb. 23 at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

La Jolla High School entered two teams in the competition, ultimately taking first and second place.

“It was very much a squeaker,” said Judith Coats, Scripps school program and NOSB regional coordinator. “The score was 75 to 74.”

The winning team will represent Southern California when they travel to Seward, Alaska to participate in the NOSB National Finals April 25-27.

La Jolla High School has competed in nine consecutive NOSB regional tournaments, taking first place for the last eight years.

Team B came in first place, with students Michael Boland, Captain, James Giammona, Ciara Kamahele-Sanfratello, Sam Reineman and Daniel Perez.

Team A received second place honors for students Zak Wescoe, Captain, Lauren Shwisberg, Allegra Mautner, Neva Fowler-Gerace and Umi Hoshijima.

Lee Decker, ocean science and biology teacher at LJHS, coached both teams.

For more information on NOSB, visit www.nosb.org.