USN wins state quiz bowl championship at Currey-Ingram
Congratulations to Ophelia Cherry-Pulay '25, Daniel Guo '25, Rohan Ramachandran '25, and Frederick Rudolph '23 for a tremendous season and a tremendous victory. They will compete next at the Small School National Championship Tournament in Chicago at the end of April.
By Justin Fitzpatrick, HS Math Teacher & Quiz Bowl Coach
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Teams from all over Tennessee gathered in Brentwood on Saturday, March 25 to contest the Tennessee State Quiz Bowl Championship. University School of Nashville's High School quiz bowl members walked through the doors at Currey-Ingram Academy with victories in each of their last five tournaments and a big target on their backs. Their reputation preceded them in all of their morning matches, and their opponents were not disappointed by what they witnessed. They were not even disappointed in their defeats — indeed, one team from Lincoln County said, "We've never played a team that answers that quickly. Even though we lost it was fun; that's the best team we've ever seen anywhere."
I myself had reading duties in the morning and early afternoon, so I didn't have the pleasure of seeing the wins, but I was made aware of some statistics as USN crossed the 500-point mark multiple times and nearly reached 600 in one game. Daniel Guo '25, Rohan Ramachandran '25, and captain Frederick Rudolph '23 were among the top 15 scorers, quite a remarkable feat in a field with 20 teams and four players per team. Ophelia Cherry-Pulay '25, the mighty literature specialist, was not far adrift.
I concluded my reading duties early in the 4 o'clock hour and found my way to a late-round match between the beloved Tigers and the perennial obstacle to tournament victory, the Blue Knights of Hume-Fogg Academic High School. A win in that game would have sealed the state title for us, but Hume-Fogg overcame a late deficit to win on the last question. In the double-elimination format, USN had thus suffered its first loss, leveling the team with Hume-Fogg and setting up a decisive finale later in the hour.
The loss was a gut punch for the garnet and Columbia Blue, but the leadership of outside coach Dr. Eric Mukherjee and the team's captain, Frederick, righted the ship in short order. The championship match was a wild affair like the old Hagler-Hearns fight of the 1980s, for those who know their boxing. USN landed the first haymakers and stormed furiously to a 155-30 lead, but Hume-Fogg roared back to take a narrow 220-180 lead. From there, what happened was just the most beautiful epitome of team play a coach could ever hope to see.
Hume-Fogg, whose specialization in all matters social studies borders on dominance, was out hustled by the sophomore savant Rohan on a history question. This rattled the proverbial Hume-Fogg cage, as they knew
their preferred territory was no longer uncontested. Daniel Guo and Ophelia responded with
two rapid buzzes of their own, taking USN back into the lead.
their preferred territory was no longer uncontested. Daniel Guo and Ophelia responded with
two rapid buzzes of their own, taking USN back into the lead.
After some back and forth between the two teams, the Blue Knights had a lead of less than one question with two questions to go. It was fitting here that our captain put us ahead for good with a nerve-wracking but precise, well-timed buzz on tossup 19. Feeling the need to gamble, Hume-Fogg pushed the issue too hard on the final toss-up, and with the moderator's pronouncement of "minus-5", it was all over.
Congratulations to Ophelia, Daniel, Rohan, and Frederick for a tremendous season and a tremendous victory. They will compete next at the Small School National Championship Tournament in Chicago at the end of April. They have worked unbelievably hard all season — day and night, week after week — and would appreciate your congratulations.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
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Ava ’26 recognized by National Council of Teachers of English
Congratulations to the rising senior, who has been selected for a 2025 Achievement Award in Writing by the National Council of Teachers of English.Read More -
Retired faculty, staff return to USN
As part of a longstanding tradition, retired teachers and professionals from USN over the years came together to celebrate, connect, and reminisce during their annual luncheon in Durnan Auditorium.Read More -
Athletes beyond Edgehill
Read MoreIt is common to have five or more University School of Nashville student-athletes sign college athletic commitment letters each year, and this year, USN saw eight more student-athletes commit to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. USN has several alumni participating in their chosen sport at the collegiate level from the Classes of 2021 through 2025. Continue reading to learn more about where Tigers are competing beyond Edgehill.
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.