There were no shocking upsets, no monumental comebacks or any last second heroics. The Fairland High School quiz bowl team wouldn’t allow any of that.

Fairland came into the annual Ironmaster Quiz Bowl Tournament as the favorite after winning the regular season championship. The Dragons would use that momentum to help carry them to the tournament title.

“It feels great to win,” senior Hunter Schenewark said. “Now we have to get ready for regionals where it gets a lot more competitive.”

The Dragons secured the championship with a 57-48 victory over St. Joseph Central High School. For the Flyers, the road to a runner up finish was an uphill, rocky one. In the second round they were sent to the losers’ bracket after being dealt a 47-27 loss at the hands of Fairland.

“We aren’t morning people,” senior Kara Addis joked. “I don’t really know what happened but we woke up after that.”

The Flyers rebounded by stringing together wins over South Point, Chesapeake and Ironton to get back into the winners’ bracket, setting up the decisive final match. This time the Flyers managed to keep it respectable, getting as close as 47-43 before Fairland pulled away.

“I’m happy with the way we performed,” Addis said. “I’ve been on the quiz bowl team every year I’ve been eligible and this is the furthest that we’ve ever made it. Getting runner-up is an achievement.”

The Dragons will advance to the Ohio Academic Competition regional tournament with the win.

The regional competition will be Saturday, April 12 at a site still to be determined.