“Not many teams get to compete at the state level, let alone the national level, and we never expected to place fourth,” said Leasure, a rising 9th grader at Nash-Rocky Mount Early College. “Our biggest challenge was going against the champions and facing defeat, because we were unbeaten this year.”
The NCMS team dominated local contests, and won first place at the state-level Junior Beta Club Quiz Bowl competition in February, beating out nearly 80 teams from other schools, and earning the chance to represent North Carolina in the national competition.
The National Junior Beta Club Quiz Bowl competition brought together 28 teams of the best and brightest quiz bowl students, all vying for the top spot. Teams of four competed in rounds, during which they had to answer 10 questions that increased in difficulty level as each round progressed. In the first round, NCMS defeated Pottsville Middle School of Pottsville, AR. In the second round, NCMS defeated Nandua Middle School of Onley, VA, the school that was last year’s champion. In the third round, NCMS defeated Arab High School of Arab, AL. NCMS then advanced into the semi-finals, and was defeated by River Trail Middle School of Johns Creek, GA, the school that was eventually named the 2013 champion. NCMS then lost the third-place match to Lee Middle School of Sharpsburg, GA.
Adam Moore, rising 9th grader at Nash Central High School, said all of the teams were well-prepared for the competition.
“We really felt challenged, and it was much more difficult than we expected,” said Moore. “We were disappointed that we didn't get first place, but we felt good about making the top four. The entire team had a huge part in our success. We worked together really well to get that far.”
Team coach and NCMS educator, Stephen Tobie, said he was proud of the resiliency shown by team members, especially given the level of competition. Tobie said he admired the spirit of the players, who were always ready to give their best effort and were “gracious,” even in defeat.
“The NCMS Beta Club Quiz Bowl Team -- Bradley Leasure, Austin Luper, Adam Moore, and Trina Phan -- showed great competitive heart and exhibited great sportsmanship throughout,” said Tobie. “I could not be more proud of them. They represented our school, school system, and community in the most positive, uplifting way.”
Trina Phan, a rising 8th grader at Nash Central Middle School said she enjoyed having the chance to compete, and she hopes the team’s performance will set a precedent for other students participating in quiz bowl. "I really enjoyed competing with our team," said Phan. "It was challenging, but a really great experience. I hope that other students at our school in the future will also get to do it."
Trina Phan, a rising 8th grader at Nash Central Middle School said she enjoyed having the chance to compete, and she hopes the team’s performance will set a precedent for other students participating in quiz bowl. "I really enjoyed competing with our team," said Phan. "It was challenging, but a really great experience. I hope that other students at our school in the future will also get to do it."
