Gadsden Middle School Scholars Bowl team carries 54-0 record into next competitions

54-0.

That's an impressive record for anyone, anywhere, anytime, in any context — and Gadsden Middle School's Scholars Bowl team will carry it into regional and national competition later this spring.

They'll be joined by an elementary division team that also has been impressive in its first year of competing on a major level.

GMS' No. 1 team — all eighth-graders, although the division encompasses grades seven and eight — took the Alabama middle school state championship tournament held Feb. 24 at Hoover High School, finishing with 2,900 points to 2,225 for runner-up Liberty Middle School of Madison.

The team will head to Chicago on May 9 to compete in the National Academic Quiz Tournaments championship on May 11-12. Next up will be the Questions Unlimited regional competition on May 24-26 in New Orleans, with a berth in the national tournament on June 15 at stake.

GMS reached that level last year and placed second to Southview Middle School of Ankeny, Iowa, falling 325 to 275 in the final of the all-virtual competition.

Scholars Bowl sponsor Dr. Sue Bliss, a math teacher at the school, said balance has been the key for GMS this season.

“We have a well-rounded, well-balanced team,” she said. “A lot of teams we play are one-man teams; my team is not. Every one of them brings (something) to the table, every one of them contributes. We had several comments from moderators at state about how well our team communicates during the bonus round. They all work together.”

GMS dominated fall league play against other local middle schools. Its 17 players were divided into four teams, and those teams swept the top four places in the league standings.

Bliss said they also competed in various invitational tournaments, traveling to Arab, Russellville, the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering in Huntsville and the Discovery Invitational in Madison.

With the new year, they were narrowed down to two competition teams: five eighth-graders and six sixth-graders.

The eighth-grade team captain is Latika Prasadh — who also handles that role for Gadsden City High School's varsity and junior varsity teams. She was the state’s leading scorer this season. Bliss said her strengths are literature, math and mythology.

Lowndes Robinson is the team's fine arts, science and sports specialist. Andrew Nguyen is strong in astronomy, geography, history and science. Gray Stephens has a potpourri of knowledge, Bliss said, but is fluent in current events, history, music and politics.

Colt Enders backs up the top four players; his strength is history, according to Bliss.

The elementary division team — all sixth-graders, although the division is for Grades 5 and 6 — placed second to Hewitt-Trussville in last month's state competition at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville. It will compete in the Questions Unlimited regionals May 18-19 seeking a berth in the nationals on June 15. (Both rounds will be virtual.)

Team captain Noah Sherrouse is strong in history, literature and science, according to Bliss. Michael Yother is an expert on geography, history (particularly European history and historic battles) and math. Bronner Skaggs is fluent in American history, geography and world events, and also is strong on biblical questions. Wattsie Alexander's strengths are literature, music and science. Iris McEleney is another player with a hodgepodge of knowledge, covering current events, entertainment, music and sports. Kate Harris is strong in geography (particularly state capitals) and literature.

Bliss has enlisted her husband, Dr. Roy Bliss, promotion coach for Gadsden City Schools, to assist her this year because “it's hard for me to prepare for three nationals.” He practices with the eighth-grade team three days a week at Gadsden City High School and helps out in other ways.

“He gets the kids lunch because there's a certain diet we follow during competition,” she said. “He's also a motivator. He sends them messages on our Group Me text with inspirational quotes to get them going.”

Diet is as important for students in academic competition as it is in athletics, Sue Bliss said.

“The night before competition, they really have to carbohydrate overload,” she said. “They need that to carry them through the next day. Then the next day we cut out carbs and go with protein. They get a little fruit with their lunch, but it's protein for breakfast and protein for lunch.”

She said if players consume carbs during the day, “they'll have that quick high and then crash.”

GMS' players also must sit a certain way during competitions. “They have to sit with their feet on the ground, they don't keep their ankles crossed or anything,” Sue Bliss said. “We want them to have straight, good posture, so everything is circulating.

“It's a mental thing,” she said. “All of it gets them into the right mindset. We go prepared for battle.”

GMS' eighth-graders also are part of the Alabama Scholars Bowl competition televised at 10 a.m. on Saturdays on Alabama Public Television, appearing for the first time on March 9 and defeating Decatur Middle School 960-240. Bliss said she thinks they'll be on TV again this Saturday, and will return in early April.

Sue Bliss thanked Mayor Craig Ford and the Gadsden City Council and state Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, for their financial support as GMS heads to national competition.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: How Gadsden Middle School Scholars Bowl teams preps for competition