2001 Panasonic Academic Challenge

Vermont-NEA Scholars' Bowl

2001 Panasonic Academic Challenge

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Burlington High School posted several last-minute rallies and came away with the best performance ever by a Vermont team in a national tournament from June 23-26 at the 2001 Panasonic Academic Challenge at Disney's Contemporary Resort and Conference Center.

The Seahorses faced a tough opening round draw but played well in the last round and finished second to the defending champion Maryland All-Stars. Then, facing elimination in the second round, BHS let a 86-point lead over the Indiana All-Stars slip away and trailed 196-192 going into the final team question. However, the Seahorses dominated the handout, outscoring Indiana 26-15, and escaped with a 218-211 victory.

The victory earned BHS a place in the semifinal round and their run did not end there. With South Carolina comfortably in first place and Burlington trailing the Oklahoma All-Stars by 33-points for the second and final berth in national final, the Seahorses rallied again. This time BHS got one question right and Oklahoma missed four in a row. By round's end the score was Burlington 181, Oklahoma 164 and team Vermont had a place in the national championship game.

The pace of play in the six-team national final was frantic as teams from Washington DC, Florida, Maryland, Kentucky and South Carolina battled back and forth. The Seahorses got the first question and actually shared the lead for the first eight questions but eventually settled into fifth place. They stayed there until late in the final round when one correct answer, a good team round, and the aggressive play of their opponents vaulted them into fourth. The final score was DC 183, Florida 157, Maryland 147, Burlington 144, Kentucky 143, South Carolina 118.

Burlington became the first Vermont team to reach the championship game at Panasonic and posted the highest finish ever by a New England team at a national tournament. BHS earned the right to represent Vermont by winning the state tournament in April.

Team Vermont's Results
(40 teams from 39 states and the District of Columbia competed;
Burlington High School represented Vermont)

First round
Maryland All-Stars 431, VERMONT 174, Ezell-Harding Christian (TN) 146, Vandebilt Catholic (LA) 113

Second round
VERMONT 218, Indiana All-Stars 211, Rufus King (WI) 145, Iowa All-Stars 75

Semifinal round
South Carolina All-Stars 338, VERMONT 181, Oklahoma All-Stars 164, Georgia All-Stars 141,
George Washington (WV) 122, Vandebilt Catholic (LA) 102

National Championship
District of Columbia All-Stars 183, Florida All-Stars 157, Maryland All-Stars 147, VERMONT 144,
P.L. Dunbar (KY) 143, South Carolina All-Stars 118

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