Although Bridgeport High School didn’t win the regional Quiz Bowl this weekend at Ravenswood High School, the Indians were the highest placing team in the Class AA/A field and will compete in the final meet of the year – the State Quiz Bowl championship – March 28.

 

This past weekend’s meet was a smaller meet than usual, according to long-time BHS Coach Barbara Judy. The Indians managed to finish third in the event behind Ripley and University, respectively. Those two schools are Class AAA schools. Nitro, another ‘AAA’ school, finished fourth.

 

Bridgeport actually played Ripley to a tie during the morning portion of the competition. They also beat Nitro, Belpre (Ohio) and Parkersburg Catholic in the morning rounds. In the afternoon, BHS got another win over Parkersburg Catholic, before falling to Ripley. Ripley then toppled University to take the crown.

 

“Even though it was a small tournament there was stiff competition between the top four teams.  They will not be our opponents in the state match as that one is divided so that (Class) AA/A compete against each other and AAA is in its own bracket,” said Judy. “If we defeat all of the ‘AA/A’ teams , we would then face the winner of the AAA.”

 

For Judy, who has coached Quiz Bowl for roughly 20 years, it will not only her final state Quiz Bowl, but her final Quiz Bowl period. She is stepping down after all the academic events this year.

 

“It's been a great year and I certainly hope that one of the Bridgeport High School teachers takes over next year so we don't lose this team,” she said. “They are all 11^th and 10^th graders and so with two others who didn't get to go Saturday (it) would form a strong nucleus to build a team around.”

 

Editor’s Note: Saturday’s team is pictured above. They are, from left, Jeff McCullough, the co captain and high scorer; Alexander Bradley-Popovic; Noah Romay; Zak Kimble; and co-captain Danny Keough -co captain.