Quiz Bowl takes second at state, looks toward nationals
May 6, 2012

The team consisted of seniors Iyas Daghlas, Riaz Helfer, Bess Goodfellow, Nikhilesh Sharma and Walter Wang. After five rounds, RBHS fell to state powerhouse Ladue Horton Watkins.
We’ve “had a solid season,” Coach Greg Irwin said. “Our A-team is ranked in the top 40-50 in the country, and the B-team is on the cusp of the top 150 in the country, so [we] had very successful season. Hopefully, we’ll get some studying before nationals to truly each our highest potential, but [I’m] very pleased with the season.”
The team is looking forward to playing in the Partnership for Academic Competition National Scholastic Championship June 9-10. Washington University in St. Louis will be hosting the competition, at which the best teams in the nation will be present, this year.
Going to Nationals “should be fun because it’s a group building experience, and we develop a close bond when our team travels and plays against other teams,” Helfer said. “And it’s also just fun to meet people from around the country. I really look forward to a good challenge against the best teams in the nation, too, and hopefully we’ll do OK. Obviously, we’ll lose some, but hopefully we can represent Columbia Public Schools well.”
By Walter Wang