South Whidbey scored 46 points at its first competition of the season against Arlington and Mariner high schools.

“Since neither school is in our division the loss isn’t too devastating because our kids’ score puts them in a good position for the rest of the season,” said South Whidbey Hi-Q advisor Greg Ballog.

The South Whidbey team includes Claire Hofius, Dinah Hassrick, Jerimiah Robey, Ramona Fankhauser, Lisa Sparks, Will Mellish and Holly Huey. South Whidbey’s team finished second behind Arlington, which scored 51 points.

At its second meet this year, South Whidbey had its best performance and won. The South Whidbey brainiacs bested Jackson High School (the host team) and Meadowdale with 48 points, against Jackson’s 46 and Meadowdale’s 23.

In its division with Archbishop Murphy, Darrington and Lakewood high schools, South Whidbey is in second place. However, South Whidbey has the two highest scores among its division competitors with 46 and 48 points, and trails first-place Archbishop Murphy, which finished its season already, by 29 points with one competition remaining.

The academic competition is hosted and run by Everett Community College. South Whidbey has one more competition to qualify for the playoffs and travels to Stanwood High School Monday, March 26.