**Originally published in the Peoria Journal Star, November 21, 2010**
Tyler Maritote
Peru is due north of the most northern tip of Chile. The Hutus were the aggressors during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
If you didn't know those facts, don't feel bad Midwest Central High School student Brandon Clark did - he's pretty much a genius when it comes to world affairs.
Clark on Saturday led the Manito school to the championship of the Peoria Area World Affairs Council's 24-team International Scholastic Bowl at Bradley University.
Clark is one of four students here who advance to the Academic WorldQuest in Washington, D.C.
"He's the young man who answers everything," judge Barb Drake said of Clark. "And he's usually correct."
Clark answered just about every question for his team during the championship round, helping fight off a late surge by Fieldcrest High School to win 125-85.
Admittedly nervous for awhile, Clark said he was composed near the end.
"Once it got to Question 19 and I knew there was no statistical possibility (Fieldcrest) could win," Clark said, "that took a little of the edge off."
In spite of carrying his team early on, Clark remained humble.
"This is my area of expertise," he said. "This whole competition is really tailored for me."
This is the second year in a row Clarks heads to nationals, and he hopes to use experience to his advantage.
"I'll be prepared (this year) for what the questions might be and the formatting," Clark said.
The national competition is multiple choice, opposed to Saturday when the two teams had to battle to answer first.
"So it has nothing to do with speed," Clark said. "It's based purely on your knowledge."
Clark will be joined in Washington by three other International Scholastic Bowl participants - Duncan Ryan from Peoria Heights High School and Marc Reiter from Fieldcrest, the team runner-up from Minonk.
There was a three-way tie for the final spot on the national team.
Candidates for the position, which has not yet been determined, are Michael Hanley of Peoria Notre Dame High School, Isaac Abbey of East Peoria Community High School and Thompson Zhuang of Eureka High School.
Richwoods High School placed third and Notre Dame finished fourth.
