BHS Quiz Bowl blazes past opponents, crowned SSC tournament champions

Burnsville High School Quiz Bowl took first place at the South Suburban Conference championship tournament, held at Burnsville High School on Feb. 5. 

The varsity team includes sophomores Emery Gehrke and Charlie Morgan, junior Xavier Sachse and senior Sam Morgan. Individually, Sam finished in first place, Xavier and Emery placed fifth and sixth, respectively. 

Last year, all four students competed at nationals, winning five of 10 preliminary games before falling one win short of making the playoffs. 

In the junior varsity division, the Burnsville team tied for first place. The junior varsity team consists of Connor Joseph, Izaac Menya, Adam Nash and Nav Zeimet. Izaac finished in ninth place while Connor finished 14th overall. 

A second junior varsity team, which includes Becca Cronin, Andre Menya and Joel Saidu, was led by Andre who finished 13th overall in the division. 

“We've gotten some new players this year who performed really well in the junior varsity division. It's been really great seeing our new players jump in,” said Quiz Bowl coach and BHS teacher Andy Gehrke. “They've seen the level of competition and have followed the lead of our varsity team. I think that we can build on the progress we’ve made this year and develop a solid team for next year.”

The varsity team has qualified for and will compete at the High School National Championship in Atlanta in May. Additionally, Sam will compete in the Individual Player National Championship on April 12 in Chicago.