Despite finishing with a 3-2 record, Bridgeport’s Science Bowl was unable to advance to the championship rounds of Saturday’s  U.S. Department of Energy’s State Science Bowl. The event was held at the Mountainlair in Morgantown.

 

Bridgeport was one of 23 teams that took part in the event. The participants earned their trips to the event by either winning or placing high in regional Science Bowl events held at various RESA territories statewide. The Indians finished second in their RESA competition to earn a spot.

 

In the morning competition, Bridgeport was divided into one of four groups. The Indians’ group included George Washington, Beckley Woodrow Wilson, Shady Spring, Midland Trail and Tyler Consolidated. The Indians toppled Shady Spring, Midland Trail and Tyler Consolidated, but fell to GW and Woodrow Wilson.

 

George Washington and Woodrow Wilson both had better overall records and advanced to the championship round in the afternoon. Although not qualifying, the 3-2 mark posted by the team of Troy Pallay, Ahmed Haque, Raymond Rector, Stephanie Thi and Anna McKibben was once again impressive on the academic competition front.

 

“I told the kids too look at the good side of this. We made it to the state and that means we really are in the top 24 science teams in the state,” said Coach Barbara Judy. “Since we defeated three teams and could have defeated several of the others that we didn’t play, I believe we are better than a top 20 team.

 

“This team is going out and should be holding its head high,” she continued. “They placed second in the RESA event and then won three games there. There should be no hanging of anyone’s head because these are good students and good science students.”

 

Judy also told those competing to get ready for more academic practice.  Quiz Bowl practice was set to begin today, which has been wiped out due to weather.

 

Editor's Note: Pictured, from left, are Coach Barb Judy, Stephanie Thi, Anna McKibben, Troy Pallay, Ahmed Haque, Raymond Rector, and RESA 7 Technology Integration Director/Science Bowl Director Shannon Carnes after the team’s December second place performance in Fairmont.