Montrose team captures Quiz Bowl berth

BY AMANDA RENKO

Times-Shamrock Writer

WAVERLY, N.Y. – Scholarship Challenge, a quiz- year, pitted hometown favoritesAthensAreaHigh School againstMontroseHigh School in the final round, Feb. 25.

While the Wildcats maintained a small lead through the first two rounds, the Montrose Meteors made up lost ground in the final round, defeatingAthens110 points to 60.

Making Montrose’s victory even more remarkable was that on Saturday, the team only had two members present. Chris Jordan and Jason Savage successfully faced three four-person teams to earn their school a berth in the March 24 finals.

Montrose coach John Koloski noted that many of the school’s seniors had scheduling conflicts with other activities, such as district band, which the school recently hosted. “It’s tough to be a senior,” he said, praising Jordan and Savage for their commitment to the team.

As runners-up,Athensreceived $350 for their school, keeping the school at the top of the competition’s all-time money standings, Carver said.

Although they didn’t advance in the competition, principal Beth Schulze applauded team members for their representation of the school. “I’m so proud of them,” she said.

Athensand Montrose each defeated two other teams to earn spots in the final round, as neither received a bye in this year’s competition.

While Montrose was down 50-10 after the second round of their first match againstOwego Free Academy,Jordanand Savage correctly answered several questions in the third round to secure the team’s victory. Montrose then defeated the Mountain View Eagles, 110-70.

Montrose will face defending championsNotre DameHigh SchoolandElmiraFreeAcademy, as well as a fourth team to be determined during the last qualifier March 10, during the finals. Schools competing in the final qualifier includeNortheast Bradford,NorthRomeChristianSchool, Wellsboro, Elk Lake, Mansfield and Tioga.

The winner of this year’s Scholarship Challenge will take home the Kwasnoski Cup and $3,000 for their school, with the other finalist schools also receiving prize money.

This year’s $6,500 purse will bring the total amount awarded to area schools over the challenge’s 32 years to nearly $167,000, according to information from Choice 102 Radio.