Back Row (L-R): Coach Robert Bute, Henry Albrecht, Luther Beran, Emory Mihlbauer, Jonas Rainwater, Ryan Martinka, Hunter Dauer, Brighton Muklebust, and Coach Matt Nelson Front Row (L-R): Kaden Schaefer, Alessandro Enamorado, Lola Lueth, Lauren Kveno, Mallory Larson, Sophie Berger and Alyson Leslie

After taking first, second, third, and second again in the last three seasons at the State AA and AAA Knowledge Bowl Tournament held at Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd, the New Ulm High School Purple and Ivory Knowledge Bowl teams were placed in two separate divisions based on a unique split due to school school size and how they did at their respective regional tournaments.

The Purple team, led by seniors Sophie Berger, Henry Albrecht, Ryan Berger, and Hunter Dauer, overcame a slow start during Friday morning’s first oral rounds to spring into room one after the third oral round, where they spent the rest of the day competing head-to-head with the defending 2025 state champion and eventual 2026 state champion, Melrose.

New Ulm Purple came up a little short, placing second with 111.5 points. The final places in AA were Melrose (118.5), New Ulm (111.5), St. John’s Prep (108.5), Albany 103, and Perham (101.5).

New Ulm Ivory, showing no fear of competing against the larger schools and led by seniors Jonas Rainwater and Lauren Kveno, finished ninth out of 18 teams in the Division AAA.

The NUHS coaches and teams would like to thank Bedazzled Blue Box Operators and Managers, parent volunteers, and bus drivers who volunteer to read and judge, and to the teachers for their continued support.