Jack Claborn is one of two seniors leading Elk City High School’s academic team. Under the guidance of the academic coach, Mrs. Wilson, he has embraced the leadership role of mentoring and encouraging his younger teammates.
Being on a young team is challenging. It can be more difficult to be competitive at meets when young players lack experience but this is also something Claborn likes most about his team. Representing Elk City as a senior on a young team is an opportunity for him to help build his teammates for the future, molding a set of new leaders for his school.
“I like how our team is mostly younger players. You won’t see that with many other schools and I like leading that team,” Claborn said.
Claborn’s journey into quiz bowl started in the fifth grade when his teachers said he should join. Beyond fostering a strong connection to academics, participating in quiz bowl has helped him branch out and meet new people. Claborn says without the academic team he never would have met so many people and made the connections he has.
Beyond the expected studying, getting ready for a match is about staying relaxed and focused, he says. Listening to music on the drive and eating good food is his routine on quiz bowl day. It is always a good day when he performs well and gets to eat after the meet. It feels good to ride the bus home after putting in his best effort and spending time with his team.
Mrs. Wilson plays a significant role in making the academic team an activity Claborn looks forward to. “She is my favorite because she is a fun teacher to be around and teaches well. She taught me how to play the game and win at it,” he said.
Claborn is inspired by Baker Mayfield’s career and the struggles he went through to get there. Claborn recalls Mayfield’s ups and downs with the Cleveland Browns and how he helped them win their first playoff in 26 years, yet they still traded him for pennies on the dollar.
“You could be at your best and someone could cut your legs out from under you. He then became great after fighting for a job in the NFL,” says Claborn with admiration for Mayfield’s determination.
He has shoutouts for friends and those he admires. “Shoutout E Dub for being a great coach, shoutout the team y’all the goats, shoutout my family and my girlfriend, I love y’all, shoutout Baker Mayfield and R. Mason Thomas…why not,” he says with a smile.
Claborn also plays tennis for ECHS and is involved in community service clubs. He lives by the advice that a shot not taken is a shot missed. He doesn’t plan to miss a shot as he prepares to study finance and economics at the University of Oklahoma after high school.
