Marshfield High School wins Nat'l Ocean Sciences Bowl

(Washington, DC) – Marshfield High School from Wisconsin won the 12th Annual National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB®) held at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum’s Sant Ocean Hall in a thrilling come from behind win this afternoon. Twenty-five high schools from all over the United States competed in the NOSB Final Competition with prizes and scholarships on the line. The NOSB is a program of the Consortium for Ocean Leadership based in Washington, DC.

After winning their respective regional competitions in February, the twenty-five champion high schools traveled to Washington, DC for the opportunity to compete over their knowledge of our oceans during the two-day NOSB competition. The team from Wisconsin made it all the way to the finals before defeating Lexington High School in come-back fashion to win the 2009 NOSB title.

The top eight teams were:
8th Place – State College Area High School – State College, PA
7th Place – Raleigh Charter High School – Raleigh, NC
6th Place - La Jolla High School – San Diego, CA
5th Place – North Hollywood High School – North Hollywood, CA
4th Place - Mission San Jose High School – Fremont, CA
3rd Place – Cranston High School West – Cranston, RI
2nd Place – Lexington High School – Lexington, MA
1st Place – Marshfield High School – Marshfield, WI

Canterbury School of Florida won the James D. Watkins Sportsmanship Award for demonstrating the best sportsmanship throughout the NOSB final competition. Admiral James D. Watkins started the NOSB program in 1997 and was on hand to help present the award.

“What an exciting competition this year at the National Ocean Sciences Bowl Finals here in Washington, DC,” said Robert B. Gagosian, President & CEO of the Consortium for Ocean Leadership. “The enthusiasm and excitement of the students was pervasive and it was thrilling to see the optimism and spirit of such young people, the future leaders of our country,” continued Gagosian.

Approximately 2,000 students from over 300 high schools participated this year. Through this educational forum, the NOSB strives to encourage and support the next generation of marine scientists, policy makers, teachers, explorers, researchers, technicians, environmental advocates and informed citizens.