The atmosphere in the Chemeketa Community College auditorium in Salem at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 11, was electric.
More than 100 elementary school students, along with their parents and other supporters, waited nervously. Fifth-grade teammates Austyn Eck, JaeLynn Jimenez, Paloma Samora-Walker and Hazel Ramos Parr of the Reading Koalas played with fidget toys and talked. Their families, including aunts, uncles, grandparents, parents and siblings, sat in the rows behind them.
This was the day the Eugene elementary schoolers had been waiting for — the Oregon Battle of the Books State Championship. Twenty-six other elementary-level teams and their cheering sections were also gathered for the opening ceremony, all with handmade signs and matching team T-shirts…