STATE CHAMPS – Okarche Superintendent Josh Sumrall will tell you his students are the best and the brightest. They backed him up last weekend. Okarche emerged as the Class 2A academic bowl state champion Saturday after a day of competition at Rose State Community College. The team emerged victorious in an eight-school double-elimination bracket that saw Okarche defeat Alex in the opening round, Drummond in the quarterfi - nals, Red Oak in the semifi nals and then Regent Prep in the state championship round. Showing off their state championship banner and bracket are team members, from left: Robert Ford (coach), Cody Stoner (captain), Henry Austin, Grady Krittenbrink, Gabe Vogt, Arron Osborne, Jackson Arnold, Hartli Ford, Maddie Vogt and Jaici Easton. For more on Okarche’s championship, see our weekend edition. [Photo provided]