There is no joy in Rockford . . .

. . . for Auburn High finished third at the state Scholastic Bowl championship yesterday in Peoria. The kids from Rockford went to the state championship with high hopes, boosted by a glowing profile in Friday's Chicago Tribune. However, in the end the top spot went to Palatine's Fremd High School. Though winning isn't everything ( it's the only thing, Vince Lombardi would've said) the Auburn High Scholastic Bowl team can still take great consolation in an eminently respectable third-place finish at a statewide competition. I won't be around to see it, but I would be thrilled to see the St. Ignatius Scholastic Bowl team do as well in their next season. I also hope that Auburn takes heart and makes a go for first in 2007. Wait 'til next year. AMDG.