The Antilles team, coached by Alan Eberhart and Dawn Wheatley, defeated St. Croix's Country Day School in back-to-back matches Saturday to take first place in the Territorial Science Bowl.
The team will represent the Virgin Islands at the National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C., in May.
Eberhart said of his team, "They really showed a lot of perspective and fortitude. They had to play so many games to win because they lost the first day and were placed in the consolation round."
Not only that, but all the team members also performed in the school play "Stage Door," which was presented Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at the school.
"I'm sure none of them got to bed before midnight," Eberhardt said.
But the team came through, fighting its way back to the trophy by winning five straight games including the final two against Country Day, which had gone undefeated until then.
The team members are: team captain Andrew Luscz, sophomore Lane Sell and seniors Diane Marek, Anwar Lockhart and Justin Wheatley.
Good Hope School came in third followed by All Saints in fourth position. The sportsmanship award went to Charlotte Amalie. Eight high schools competed, including St. Croix Educational Complex, Ivanna Eudora Kean High School and St. Croix Central High School.
The National Science Bowl will be held May 4 to 8. Eberhardt said the college board advanced placements exams are scheduled to be given the same week, but "we'll work something out."
The final matches can be seen at 4:30 p.m. Sunday on STJX-Channel 12.
The competition was sponsored for the fourth consecutive year by the Water and Power Authority.
