SMS Wins 2023 WV History Bowl
Sherrard Middle School West Virginia History Bowl Team 1 captured this year’s state title, making them back-to-back Mountain State champions.
Coached by Dan Gatts and Jeff Stephens, this year’s team consisted of Ella Finley, Allison McGraw, Sarah Naome and Zoe Zervos. The Rams won five games to secure the 2023 championship. Each student received a trophy and $500 to celebrate their achievement. McGraw was named the tournament’s MVP and earned an additional $300.
The team began its journey to The Culture Center in Charleston by winning the 7th annual Marshall County Schools West Virginia History Bowl held at the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex in November. From there, the foursome placed first at the Region VI WV History Bowl in February at Independence Hall in Wheeling. That’s where they punched their ticket to the WV Capitol Complex for the statewide contest.
This year’s victory at the 14th annual competition marks the third time Sherrard Middle School has secured the state’s highest honor in the West Virginia History Bowl.
Meanwhile, Coach Gatts has guided a record-setting six teams to the state crown. Before becoming a teacher at Sherrard Middle School, he previously led the Cameron High School Dragons to state victories in 2015, 2017 and 2018. Gatts’ Sherrard Middle School team also collected state trophies in 2020 and 2022.
Commissioner of the WV Division of Culture and History, Randall Reid-Smith founded the event in 2010 for eighth-grade students from around West Virginia.
