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(Clockwise, starting top left) Dalton Gordon; Coach Tim Hathway; Avery Echols and Caitlynne Brooks celebrate their performance at the FCSAA state tournament banquet dinner; Avery Echols; Coach Ron Atchison; Caitlynne Brooks.
The Pensacola State College Brain Bowl team made its mark at the state tournament at Valencia College in Winter Park on March 28-29. The team secured one of four Wild Card spots by finishing fourth in the regional tournament at Chipola College in Marianna in February.
Despite facing challenges at the state tournament, Caitlynne Brooks and Avery Echols delivered a strong showing, even against the top two teams of Chipola and Valencia. An unexpected last-minute emergency left the pair competing without their third teammate, Dalton Gordon, but they persevered through the intense competition. Chipola College claimed the state championship, continuing their winning streak, while PSC wrapped up the season with an overall record of 0-9 at the state championship.
According to Coach Tim Hathway, Professor of Physical Sciences, Brain Bowl is a highly competitive academic quiz team that tests students’ knowledge in the humanities, social sciences, math, literature and more. Each year, at least 12 Florida schools and 20 teams compete in various tournaments, with invitational tournaments in the fall and national Quiz Bowl and FCSAA tournaments in the spring, where Brain Bowl is recognized as an academic team sport.
Hathway has coached PSC’s Brain Bowl team for eight years, taking over from longtime coach Ken McCafferty, who led the team from the late 1980s. This year also marked the addition of Assistant Coach Ron Atchison, an instructor of Humanities, History and Latin, in his first year with the team.
This was the first competition year of Brain Bowl for the three team members:
- Caitlynne Brooks – A history major and the team’s “generalist” with a strong knowledge of literature. In her free time, she enjoys reading and doting on her two guinea pigs.
- Avery Echols – A biological sciences major with expertise in math and science, answering a quarter of the tournament’s questions. She’s an avid music fan, always seeking new recommendations.
- Dalton Gordon – A Photographic Technologies major who brings expertise in art and photography. Off the buzzer, he spends time with his 10-year-old son, coaches youth sports, and smiles big when he nails a Brain Bowl question.
PSC’s Brain Bowl team meets every Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. in Room 1460, Bldg. 14. With a new team forming in the fall, students with a passion for academic competition, quick thinking and teamwork are encouraged to give it a try. The team takes new members any time – they can start practicing now to try out the game!
If you’re looking for a challenge and an opportunity to sharpen your knowledge, Brain Bowl could be your next adventure!
For more information about Brain Bowl, contact Tim Hathway at thathway@pensacolastate.edu or 850-484-1188 or Ron Atchison at ratchison@pensacolastate.edu or 850-484-1984.