The Washington High School scholar bowl team has qualified for the MSHSAA Class 5 Championships.

Competing in the Class 5 quarterfinals in Kirksville on Tuesday, April 28, the Blue Jays defeated Kirksville by scores of 510-100 and 430-120.

Washington advances to the Class 5 state semifinals on Saturday, May 9, at Memorial Union on the University of Missouri campus. The Blue Jays will play three matches starting at noon against Westminster Christian, Springfield Central and St. Pius X (Kansas City). Those preliminary matches will determine who meets in the championship match and who plays in the third-place match.

The state championship and third-place matches both will take place on Saturday, May 9, at 3:15 p.m.

Washington’s team members are seniors Nathan Oreskovic and Peter Bush, junior Zach Zingrich, sophomore Brennan Sullivan and freshmen Liam Scroggins and Elijah Hewlett.

It marks the first time Washington High School has reached the MSHSAA Scholar Bowl Championships since placing second in 2021. The Blue Jays won a state scholar bowl championship in 2017.

Washington was in control of its quarterfinal match against Kirksville.

“By the end of the first half, we were leading 290–40. Kirksville used all four timeouts trying to break our rhythm, but the team was unaffected,” said Washington Scholar Bowl Coach Nathan Cabot. “During our downtime between rounds, the team was relaxed and having fun. Securing that first-round win really helped take the pressure off. Round two started much the same as round one, with us jumping out to an early lead. Kirksville battled hard, but we kept the pressure on, and by question 18, we had secured the game.

“We had contributions from everyone on the team in Kirksville. Nathan Oreskovic led the team in scoring with 190 points on the day. Peter Bush contributed 70 points. Zachary Zingrich added 30 points and freshman Elijah Hewlett had 20 points. Brennan Sullivan and Liam Scroggins also contributed on several collaborative bonus questions. In the end, I am incredibly proud of the work and effort of all six of our players who traveled to Kirksville.”

The Washington High School scholar bowl team qualified for the MSHSAA Class 5 Scholar Bowl Championships with a victory over Kirksville in the state quarterfinals. Team members, from left, are Liam Scroggins, Elijah Hewlett, Brennan Sullivan, Nathan Oreskovic, Peter Bush and Zach Zingrich.