By Evan Cunningham (January 23, 2003)

George Mason's Scholastic Bowl team kept its perfect record intact and won its second district championship in a row at Clarke County High School in Berryville last Saturday. The team went into last weekend’s tournament with a 12-0 record, thus earning the team a first-round bye along with 9-3 Brentsville. Brentsville succumbed early to Clarke County, and Mason’s first game of the day was against the Clarke County Eagles. The Mustangs were off with a bang, answering four out of the first five competitive questions. 
 

The round was very strong for Mason, with junior Evan Cunningham leading the team with 40 points, and senior Dan Bray and juniors Rahul Gupta and Kaitlin Bottock scoring 30, 20, and 10 points respectively. The second round belonged to Mason as well, who garnered another 100 points in the directed team round, while Clarke lagged behind with 60. Going into the third and final round, the score was 200-80 George Mason. The Mustangs were aiming for a feat that had not occurred yet this season – the 300 point game. While an often occurrence in practice, 300 points has eluded Mason throughout the season, and would elude them in their first game of districts as well. The Mustangs left the record books unchanged with 70 points in their final round, 40 for Bray, 20 for Cunningham and 10 for junior Joe Mauro. Clarke County was only able to amass 20 points, ensuring a rout for George Mason, 270-100.

The winning Scholastic Bowl team celebrates its  second consecutive Bull Run District Championship  they captured last Saturday at Clarke County High  School. From left to right are Evan Cunningham,  sponsor Jamie Scharff, Pet Jones, Dan Bray, David  Sprankles, Rahul Gupta, Joe Mauro. Front row:  Kaitlin Bottock, Casey Smirniotopoulos

Mason’s second match was a more challenging and somber affair. Up to that point, Mason’s closest game of the year had been against Manassas Park, and the Mustangs could not afford to lose to them in district play. But the first round ended dangerously close, with a slim 50-40 lead for Mason. Captain Dan Bray buzzed in for 20 points, while Bottock, Gupta and Cunningham each had 10. Mason had to make up some ground in the team round, and got on the case. Their diligence paid off as Mason increased its lead to 140-100 after the second round. The final round was not Mason’s best, reversing the scores of the first round 40-50 for Mason. Each Mustang rang in for only one question. Nonetheless, Mason won the game 180-150, a close shave. Captain Bray had just one comment about the game, "Manassas Park played very well against us, and the obscure questions didn’t help either." In fact, the combined total of the first and last competitive rounds, 90 points, was less than Mason alone scored in the very first competitive round of districts. 

Manassas Park went on to lose to Clarke County, and George Mason again faced the Eagles. The first round was another schooling by Mason, thoroughly beating the Eagles 70-0. This time only two Mustang teammates were responsible for the 70 points, Dan Bray with 50 and Evan Cunningham with 20. Mason morale was excellent for the following team round, but it was not all fun and games. Clarke reversed momentum, and made a comeback, winning the round 90-70. The Mustangs, however, were not ready to hand the game over just yet. After Clarke took the first 20 points, Mason went on a 60-10 run, winning the round 60-30. The round was one of reflexes, with Cunningham speedily buzzing in for 40 points, and Bray and Gupta scoring 10 each. Clarke County gave a valiant effort, but George Mason had won its fourth straight Bull Run District title. 

Next up is regional competition, February 1 in Chatham, Virginia. Mason’s only two losses last year occurred at regionals, but this year, the Mustangs hope to continue the perfect season.