SU Students Earn First Place in Geography Bowl
By SU Public Relations
SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University students recently put their geography trivia skills to the test during the American Association of Geographers (AAG) student bowl at the organization’s Mid-Atlantic division annual meeting.
SU’s team, coached by Drs. Wataru Morioka and Chris Elcik, assistant professors of geography and geosciences, earned first place.
“It was really exciting to win especially after a tricky first round featuring questions on the state of Michigan,” said senior geography and earth science major Jessica Yankalunas, of Snow Hill, MD. “Luckily with our team having diverse knowledge in various subject areas we were able to pull ahead during the remaining categories on renewable energy and weather.”
Yankalunas’ teammates included Seth Barron of Berlin, MD; Peter Oskam of Westminster, MD; Connor Plumley of Berlin, MD; Justin Shelburne of Silver Spring, MD; and Joey McNally, of Frederick, MD.
Students also networked with geography professionals and listened to lectures and research presentations, including a session featuring Dr. Gina Bloodworth, SU associate professor of environmental studies and geography and geosciences.
Yankalunas, Barron, Shelburne and McNally will travel to Detroit in the spring to represent SU in the 2025 AAG World Geography Bowl during the national annual meeting.
“I know we’ll have to play to our strengths strategically and really expand on each team member tackling one area of expertise since there will be more rounds, questions, and teams at the national level,” said Yankalunas. “I’m confident that our practice strategies work and we can continue to represent SU and showcase the variety of subject matter expertise the geography and geosciences curriculum have covered. It’s been encouraging to realize just how much we’ve all learned over the years and practically applying how broad our course options have been.”
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