WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Twenty-nine teams filled the arena of the West Plains Civic Center on Jan. 24 for the 12th annual Trivia Night benefitting Grizzly Basketball at Missouri State University-West Palins. The event was hosted by the Grizzly Booster Club.
Organizers said that volunteers make the event successful, and they pointed out more than 230 trivia buffs took part in answering 10 rounds of questions.
This year’s champion was the team from Missouri Public Defenders Office. Team members consisted of Jodi Hoopes, Bethany Hanson, Donna Anthony, Bryce Crowley, Roger Dyer, Maurice Brewer, David Dykas, and Sarah Bernard. They received the event’s traveling trophy.
Second place went to the West Plains High School T3 Team, which consisted of Rhonda Richter, Krista Tate, Amy Schmitt, Nick Schmitt, Emily Gibson, Cyndi Wright, Josh Cotter, Janet Rackley.
Third place went to the Ozark Medical Center team of Dr. Scott Ream, Pam Ream, Tom Keller, Patty Keller, Nicki Cochran, Dr. Chris Cochran, Robin Morgan and Dr. Charles Morgan.
Trivia teams also competed in a table-decorating contest. First place went to the “Fishing for Answers” team. Members included Lou Citro, Danonne Citro, Vickie Taylor, Scott Taylor, Bob Frey, Donna Frey, Beth Cooper and Tom Cooper.
Second place in the table-decorating contest went to the “NBA All-Stars” team from the Shoe Factory Lofts. Team members included Dustin Adams, Lucas Tabor, Ty Bien, Dylon Hollowell, Trevor Williams, Shauna Bien and Bethany Bailey.
Each member of the teams received a gift bag of prizes, organizers said.
A 50/50 giveaway also was held and was won by Tom Marhefka, West Plains. He received $641.50, but then gave the prize money back, organizers said.
Coordinators also said they would like to thank the many area businesses and individuals who served as category, food and prize sponsors. They include food sponsors Domino’s Pizza/Mike Mickey; category sponsors ArrowHead Properties, Don’s Goodyear, Jones Furniture, Outpost Motor Sports, Smitty & Co., Southern Hills Auto, The Alexander Family, The Fish Shack and The Johnson family; and prize sponsors West Plains Country Club, Ozark Café, Missouri State-West Plains Food Services, Diamond Head, Missouri State-West Plains admissions office, Pepsi Cola, Drago College Store, Mudbusters Carwash, Ozarks Medical Center Rehabilitation Services, JB’s Health Mart, Great Rivers Distributing, Heroes, Hirsch Feed and Farm Supply, Wayward Son Productions, Missouri State-West Plains University/Community Programs Department, 5-Star Cleaners, Posey Patch, TJ’s Hickory House, Walmart, Coca-Cola, Missouri State-West Plains student services office, Quick Lube, Russ Gant, McDonalds, Janet Cawvey, Smitty & Co., and the West Plains Civic Center Pool and Fitness Center.