Coastal Carolina University students placed third in the Big South College Quiz Bowl Tournament held recently at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. The academic tournament is held annually at one of the Big South Athletic Conference schools for students from member schools.

Competing were CCU students Seth Morgan of Myrtle Beach, a senior seeking a second degree in biology; Robert Cafaro of Georgetown, a sophomore in computer science; Sally Damon of Myrtle Beach, an undeclared sophomore; Brandon Peluso of Demossville, Ky., a sophomore in marine science and math; and Sarah Sexton of Murrells Inlet, a junior in marine science. Two of the Coastal team members placed in the top four for individual players’ scores. Morgan, team captain, placed second, and Cafaro placed fourth among the tournament players.

Coaches Charmaine Tomczyk, director for undergraduate research, and David Duncan, assistant professor of mathematics, accompanied the team. Duncan served as one of the official scorekeepers.

“This is the first time that Coastal has competed in the Big South Quiz Bowl, and I am very proud of our team for placing third," said Tomczyk.

Liberty University took first place, making this their third win for the top trophy since the tournament’s inception in 2006. Teams practice throughout the year using NAQT (National Academic Quiz Tournament, LLC) questions and rules.

The idea for the tournament came from the Big South League’s Academic Consortium, whose mission is to develop institutional relationships outside of athletics and to explore ways to share programs and resources to benefit students and member institutions. In addition to developing the quiz bowl, the consortium has supported an annual Undergraduate Research Symposium (BigSURS) among Big South member institutions. Coastal Carolina University hosted the first symposium in 2007.