By Staff
Kim West
VINA – Vina capped off an undefeated season Friday afternoon with the first-ever Franklin County Junior Scholars Bowl tournament championship.
Vina, led by eighth-graders Hashu Watson, Blake Townsend, Baylee Cochran and Adam Pharr, defeated Tharptown in the four-round championship round after sweeping all three games in morning pool play.
The Vina team also included eighth graders Courtney Watson and Ethan Pharr and seventh
graders Jessica Pickle, Brody Roberts, Ranzy Baty, Caitlin Benstine and Shelby Boyd.
"I was nervous going into the final round because Tharptown has improved so much this year," said Vina team sponsor Deborah Townsend, who recognized Vina seniors Lizette Martinez and Heather Holland, student Claudia Townsend and parents Tonya Cochran and LaDonna Baty for serving as tournament volunteers. "I knew our team would have to listen well and play hard to win the championship. It's been a wonderful season, and I'm very proud of our team, especially our eighth graders."
In the morning round Belgreen, which finished third, edged East Franklin after a 195-195 tie, while Tharptown downed Belgreen 190-175 and East Franklin 240-220. Vina beat Tharptown 305-225, Belgreen 315-150 and East Franklin 295-140.
In the championship match, Vina led Tharptown only 25-15 after the first round of toss-up questions but took a 115-45 lead in the second round, which consisted of 10 questions with bounce-back bonuses. Vina stretched its lead to 190-195 in the worksheet round and then blanked Tharptown in the final round to win 280-95.
Watson, the Vina team captain, finished as the overall high scorer in the tournament with 385 points, while teammate Blake Townsend finished second with 210. East Franklin seventh grader Cory Potter tallied 135 points for third place, and Tharptown seventh grader Lauren Wilkinson earned fourth with 130 points.