By Joni Quinn
In what turned into a nail-biting match-up between Bradford Elementary and Sacred Hearts Elementary for the Academic Bowl junior championship, Bradford walked away with the crown by only a five-point margin.
The two teams battled throughout, with the teams swapping five-point leads. Bradford finished on top, 285-280.
St. Joseph and Hunking schools battled it out for the senior championship.
In the first two rounds, the teams remained within 10 points of each other, but St. Joseph pulled away in the third round, repeating as champions with a score of 320-240.
Superintendent Raleigh Buchanan presented all the finalists with a plaque.
"Whether you saw victory or defeat, we are all a family and I am truly impressed by each and every one that took the stage tonight. The fact that these students were able to answer some of those questions gives us hope for the future," Buchanan said.
Moderator Barry Mooers, a teacher at Haverhill High School, summed up the event by rejecting the famous quote from legendary football coach Vince Lombardi that "winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
"I wholeheartedly disagree with this," Mooers said. "Everyone here is a winner because of their pursuit of excellence. All those who graced the stage tonight are truly champions. Congratulations on your climb."
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Bradford Elementary finished its season with a perfect record.
"This is awesome ... we get to finish undefeated," said Ryan Cane, 11.
Teammate Elizabeth Brady, also 11, said she intends to compete again next year. Brian Haley, 11, celebrated the team's "awesome" victory by saying he felt lucky to be a part of it.
"This is a great reward to end the season with," said Bradford coach Ashley Collins. "They all deserve it and have worked so hard. We're all excited to have won."
Parents rushed the front of the auditorium to give their children well-deserved hugs or high-fives.
"I am so proud and excited for her. I'm more pleased that she stuck with it all season and was able to walk away with a win," said Dan Carter with an arm full of flowers for his daughter, Jesselyn, 11.
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St. Joseph retains bragging rights in the senior division.
Christopher Golden is the father of two Academic Bowl victors. Son Daniel, 13, was on the winning team again this year. Last year, he shared a trophy with his older brother, Nick.
"It feels absolutely amazing to watch him win, especially since my older son was on the team last year when they won. Now Daniel can have his own trophy. I'm so proud of both of them," Golden said.
"It feels great to win. I almost cried and I never cry," said Laurel Akowuah, 14, of St. Joseph's.
"This is just absolutely amazing. I'm so happy," said Katie Gemmell, 14, of St. Joseph's, another two-time winner.
Coach Teri Lyons could barely speak when the final buzzer rang.
"This was totally unexpected," she said.
Gail Patriquin praised grandson Alex Tsioropoulos, 12.
"He had an outstanding performance. This will bring a lot of spirit to the school," Patriquin said.
