Bishop Sullivan Catholic High wins Blue Crab Bowl

First Place Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School, Virginia Beach. Coached by science teacher William Dunn (far L) and Assistant Coach Carol Stapanowich (far R), team members are (Front, L-R): Mary Chang (Jr.) and Team Captain Christine Chesley (Sr.). In back (L-R) are Kyle Bankes (Sr.); Jack Hall (Sr.); and Nathan Taylor (Jr.). Photo by Kirby Broyles of ODU.

Grafton High School Grafton High captured 2nd place in the 2010 Blue Crab Bowl. Team members were (L to R): Bobby Donze, Coach Jane Dodge, Fangdi Sun (Captain), Britt Sorensen, Ryan Gestwick, and Ian Van der Hoven. Photo by Carol Hopper-Brill.

by Staff | March 15, 2010

Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School of Virginia Beach took the top slot in the 2010 Blue Crab Bowl on March 6^th. The win marks the team's third straight victory in the region's premier academic contest in marine science.

Team members included Captain Christine Chesley (senior), Jack Hall (senior), Kyle Bankes (senior), Mary Chang (junior), and Nate Taylor (junior). Veteran coach and science teacher William Dunn and assistant coach Carol Stapanowich prepared the first place team for competition.

The 13^th annual event took place at Old Dominion University's campus in Norfolk. Participating were 80 students, 26 science teachers, more than 30 supporters, and over 70 volunteers. The Blue Crab Bowl is Virginia's Regional competition of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB^©).

The Bishop Sullivan winners emerged from a field of 16 teams representing high schools from around Virginia. The competing students spent the day in head-to-head contests, testing their knowledge of marine science and the ocean. Virginia's competition is among the inaugural marine science bowls started in 1998.

Using questions designed by marine scientists and educators, the contest tested the students' knowledge of oceanography, geology, biology, and maritime history. Guided by their teacher-coaches, students broadened their awareness and understanding of the oceans as they prepared for the competition. The Bowl provides a forum for students who excel in math and science to receive regional and national recognition for their diligence and talent.

The Blue Crab Bowl is a cooperative effort of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), Old Dominion University's Department of Ocean, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences; the College of William and Mary; and the Virginia Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program at VIMS. Faculty, staff and graduate students from both institutions donated many hours to ensure the success of this exciting event. Additional support came from Virginia Sea Grant; ODU's Office of University Events; the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia; Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center; VIMS Gift Shop; Mid-Atlantic Marine Education Association; the National Marine Educators Association, and Hampton Inn-Naval Base.

Bishop Sullivan Catholic High will represent Virginia in the national competition, facing 24 other regional champions at the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB^©) from April 23-25 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Their trip is all-expenses paid.

Other Winners

Taking 2nd place was Grafton High School from Yorktown. Coach Jane Dodge and Assistant Coach Brian Dunn's team members included Captain Fangdi Sun (senior); Bobby Donze (senior), Ryan Gestwick (senior), Ian Van der Hoven (senior), and Britt Sorensen (junior). Ms. Dodge, a science teacher at Grafton, has a winning history at the Bowl. She took teams to first place in 2000 and 2002.

In 3rd place was Chesapeake Bay Governor's School-Warsaw Campus with Coach James Beam. Team members included Captain Patrick Keyser (senior); Grace Perkins (junior); Cody Reed (senior); Nathan Brown (senior), and Brittany McKenney (senior).

Fourth Place honors went to the team from St. Christopher's School, coached by William McGuire. Team members included Captain William Bannard (senior), Joey Thompson (senior), Si Wofford (senior), and Will Vaughn (senior).

Other competing teams included Churchland High School, Portsmouth; Fauquier High School, Warrenton; Fredericksburg Academy, Fredericksburg; Gloucester High School, Gloucester; Governor's School for Science & Technology-New Horizons, Hampton; Isle of Wight Academy, Isle of Wight; Louisa County High School, Mineral; Maury High School, Norfolk; Patrick Henry High School, Ashland; Piedmont Governor's School for Math, Science & Technology, Collinsville; Richmond Christian School, Chesterfield; and Seton School, Manassas.

All teams received prizes for their participation. Coaches were rewarded for their considerable efforts in teaching marine sciences with memberships in professional organizations.

National Ocean Sciences Bowl

The Blue Crab Bowl is one of 25 regional competitions of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB^®), supported by the Consortium for Ocean Leadership. The Consortium, representing 94 of the nation's leading oceanographic institutions, universities, industries and aquaria is headquartered in Washington D.C. The NOSB provides an educational forum intended to generate student interest in the ocean sciences; improve awareness of our oceans, coasts and Great Lakes; and create an "ocean literate" society that can meet the ocean challenges of the future. During 2010, an expected 2,000 students from nearly 400 high schools from around the country will participate in this national program.