Colby Scholars Bowl Team Earns Runner-Up Finish at Scott City Tournament
January 19, 2026
The Colby High School Scholars Bowl team continued its strong 2025 season on January 19 with an impressive second-place finish at a highly competitive tournament hosted by Scott City High School. Facing a deep field of 16 teams, the Eagles showcased both consistency and growth as they move toward the most important stretch of their schedule.
The tournament format featured two pools of eight teams, with each squad playing a round-robin schedule to determine advancement into the final rounds. Colby was sharp from the outset, navigating its pool with a 5-1 record to claim first place and earn a berth in the semifinals. The strong pool performance reflected the steady progress the team has made throughout the season, particularly in maintaining focus across multiple matches in a single day.
Colby carried that momentum into the semifinal round, where the Eagles defeated Leoti to advance to the championship match. The win secured a spot in the finals and guaranteed a podium finish, while also providing valuable experience in a high-pressure setting similar to what the team will face later in the postseason.
In the championship round, Colby squared off against Garden City, a Class 6A program, in what proved to be a competitive and instructive matchup. Garden City ultimately claimed the title with a 60-30 victory, but the Eagles left encouraged by how well they matched up against a larger-school opponent. Competing closely with a 6A team underscored Colby’s growth and reinforced the team’s confidence heading into league and regional competition.
The day concluded with Colby finishing 6-2 overall, good for second place among the 16-team field. Head coach Keith Thomas emphasized both the results and the trajectory of his squad following the event.
“I’m very pleased with the team’s performance throughout the season. We have placed at most of the meets this year. I like where we are heading into the GWAC meet. The kids have improved so much this year. Regional will be tough on Feb. 6, but I feel like we are ready and have a good chance to qualify for State,” Thomas said.
That outlook is supported by Colby’s consistency across multiple tournaments, as well as the team’s ability to respond to different styles of competition. The Scott City tournament tested depth, adaptability, and endurance, all of which are critical components as the schedule tightens and margins become smaller.
With the Great West Activities Conference meet scheduled for this Monday and regional competition looming in two weeks, the Eagles are entering a crucial phase of the season with momentum firmly on their side. The combination of a strong overall record, continued improvement, and experience against top-tier opponents positions Colby well as it pursues a spot at the state tournament.