At the 5A regional tournament hosted at Mill Valley on Thursday, Feb. 2, the Quiz Bowl team placed second and qualified for state competition.

Last year, the team failed to qualify for state, the first time in many years. But now the team is again eligible, and according to coach Mary Beth Mattingly the team is excited for the qualification after last year’s loss.

“The team is very happy about themselves and as a team, but they are humble about their win,” Mattingly said. “They had a strategy and knew how to recognize and play to each others’ strengths, and that helps the whole team succeed.”

In the end, Blue Valley High School took first place with Mill Valley close behind. Mattingly said the team met their overall goal for this tournament.

“Their goal was to do as well as they did in the first pool play as they did last year, and they did,” Mattingly said. “They feel vindicated now because last year’s loss was such a blow. But, now they feel back and track to getting Mill Valley back on the quiz bowl list. I am very proud.”

Next week on Saturday, Feb. 11, the team will head to Blue Valley to compete for the 5A state title, a title they won only two years ago, Congratulations and good luck at the competition.

Below is the list of state qualifying Quiz Bowl participants that will be competing next weekend:

Senior Zach Zarnstorff

Junior Cole Clay

Senior Tyler Owsley

Senior Austin Ross

Junior Alex Reeves

Sophomore Andrew Hecht