"With 23 students participating this year, we were able to field two different teams for the Allen County Quiz Bowl competitions," said Dan Smith, Bluffton eighth grade math teacher.

The Bluffton Red team finished the season 23-5 including a record of 11-3 in the year-end tournament. This tied them with Shawnee for first place. Bluffton earned the first runner-up trophy based on total points scored during the tournament.

Members of this year's 7th and 8th grade academic team, front row: Katie Scott, Elizabeth Nisly, Cassidy Bush and Amy Warren.

Middle row: Jack Burrell, Jared Metzger, Jason Bracy, Douglas Nester, Brice Metzger and Noah Edwards.

Back row: Sarah Theisen, Lauren Bish, Nikki Campbell, Patrick Rhonemus, Connor Dawson and Coach Dan Smit.h

Absent: Zane Myers, Trevor Bunch, Noah Woodruff, Dylan Stevens, Katie Frazier, Jayme Siefer, Isaac Andreas and Josh Haugh.