National Records

The web site has gone through multiple iterations with different people volunteering as owners. These records were up-to-date as of the 2011 season, but haven’t been refreshed with all the latest records. If you’d like to assist, please email [email protected].

Comparing accomplishments from year-to-year is difficult for multiple reasons and proving one quizzer better than another across eras of quizzing is almost impossible:

  • Different amounts of material to memorize from year to year.
  • Differing question writers, styles, and rules. For example, questions were rarely interrupted in the early years.
  • Varying levels and quality of competition.
  • Varying competition formats from year to year.

For a detailed explanation of the differences across the years, see the Eras of Quizzing page.

Naturally, with the most recent expansions, National Finals became more of a marathon than in the past. The eight team format from the early years certainly favored a team that was “hot” on a given day, while the modern format requires a great deal of mental and physical stamina. However, with the eight team format, one loss sometimes meant the championship and easier matches were few or or non-existent. An individual quizzer who had one difficult quiz in the modern era might easily recover in the remaining twenty plus rounds. Certainly quizzers have more rounds now to cover for a bad game and retain their average, but they must also keep up their level of quizzing over approximately 20 rounds and two to three days. There is no doubt that some quizzers from the modern era would do better in the previous formats, and vice-versa.

With this understanding, comparable data is offered by category. Just as an Olympic champion is always an Olympic champion, and historical records are kept for each event, the following Bible Quiz records are kept to retain the history of the program and to allow everyone to see all of the accomplishments. Therefore, when listing ranks for one high score (etc.) over another, it is an attempt to show the progression of the program and each individual or team accomplishment. Some of these accomplishments are phenomenally better than those before them, and might happen to be the best ever if the 50+ champions all played each other at the same time, over the same material, at the same age and with the same questions. We ask that you take them as they are, and that each new generation of quizzers use them as inspiration to drive their learning of God’s word.

Preliminary rounds or the Challenger Division are excluded out of fairness to teams quizzing before 2000 and 2000 - 2006 Regional Champions not participating in preliminary rounds. Scores from all years have been normalized as the maximum number of points changed in 2006 from 380 to 430. The formula for normalized points is (380 / 430) * (points). To aid in comparison, percentages are typically used. Since the exact year during the 1970s when the number of questions for a quiz-out changed from five to six is unknown, it is assumed as six for all relevant years. This has little effect as there are minimal records from that time.

Ultimately the records are what they are and do not make for perfect comparisons. All of these eras have differences which affect the outcome of our records. However, the purpose of this data is not comparison, rather the celebration of team and individual achievement in quizzing.

Team Records

Most National Championships

Count Team Seasons
3 Bouldercrest A/G, Atlanta, GA
Evangel A/G, Decatur, GA
Evangel Community Church, Centerville, GA		 1963, 1976, 1978
3 First A/G, New Orleans, LA 1971, 1983, 1984
2 Full Gospel Chapel, Denver, CO 1966, 1967
2 Carpenter’s Home Church, Lakeland, FL 1990, 1991
2 First A/G, Tempe, AZ 1986, 1987

Most National 2nd Place Wins

Count Team Seasons
3 Calvary Temple A/G, Riverside, CA 1978, 1979, 1980
2 First A/G, Bartlesville, OK 1992, 1993
2 Calvary Christian Center, Buena Park, CA 1989, 1991
2 Byesville A/G, Byesville, OH 1983, 1984
2 Highway Tabernacle Assembly, Centerville, VA 1971, 1972
2 Central A/G, Springfield, MO 1988, 1997

Most National 3rd Place Wins

Includes Nationals after 1966 and ties (if there weren’t playoffs that year)

Count Team Seasons
5 Trinity A/G, Lanham, MD 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983
2 Bouldercrest A/G, Atlanta, GA
Evangel A/G, Decatur, GA
Evangel Community Church, Centerville, GA		 1979, 1986
2 Central A/G, Springfield, MO 1987, 1996
2 Grace A/G, Syracuse, NY 1998, 1999

Best National Team Champions By Win-Loss

There are vastly differing win-loss records over the years due to changing rules, etc. For a detailed explanation of the differences across the years, see the Eras of Quizzing page.

Ties have not been broken, but have been sorted in reverse chronological order (except for undefeated teams).

Rank Year Team W L % Coach
1 1999 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA 23 0 100.00% Greg House
1 2008 Owasso First A/G, Owasso, OK 19 0 100.00% John Melberg
1 2003 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA 19 0 100.00% Greg House
1 2002 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA 19 0 100.00% Mel Aou
1 1978 Evangel A/G, Decatur, GA 7 0 100.00% Alex Cohilas
1 1975 Assembly of God, New Sharon, IA 7 0 100.00% Arvin DeBoef
1 1972 Stone Church, Palos Heights, IL 7 0 100.00% Phil Waisanen
1 1965 Calvary Full Gospel A/G, Inglewood, CA 3 0 100.00% Rick Ellis
1 1964 Burlington A/G, Burlington, NC 3 0 100.00% N/A
1 1963 Bouldercrest A/G, Atlanta, GA 3 0 100.00% Cleta Gustafson
11 2009 Owasso First A/G, Owasso, OK 18 1 94.74% Kevin Wagner
11 1993 Life Center A/G, Lakewood, CA 18 1 94.74% Greg House
13 1998 Greens Bayou A/G, Houston, TX 21 2 91.30% Norma Schuler
14 1996 Grace A/G, Syracuse, NY 20 2 90.91% Mary Daigle
15 2011 Owasso First A/G, Owasso, OK 17 2 89.47% Kevin Wagner
15 2007 Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO 17 2 89.47% Greg House
15 2006 Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO 17 2 89.47% Greg House
15 2005 Cedar Park Church, Bothell, WA 17 2 89.47% Kent Kloefkorn
15 2004 Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO 17 2 89.47% Jordan Schneider
15 1994 St. Clair Shores A/G, St. Clair Shores, MI 17 2 89.47% Robin Rominske
21 1992 Park Crest A/G, Springfield, MO 14 2 87.50% Synthia Cathcart
21 1987 First A/G, Tempe, AZ 14 2 87.50% Steve Eastin
23 1991 Carpenter’s Home Church, Lakeland, FL 13 2 86.67% Nancy Hershner
23 1990 Carpenter’s Home Church, Lakeland, FL 13 2 86.67% Nancy Hershner
23 1989 Citrus Heights A/G, Citrus Heights, CA 13 2 86.67% Gretchen Martindale
23 1988 Eastside A/G, Tucson, AZ 13 2 86.67% Ed Picker
27 1983 First A/G, New Orleans, LA 6 1 85.71% Alice Brent
27 1982 First A/G, Tecumseh, OK 6 1 85.71% Marty Stacey
27 1979 Canal Street A/G, New Orleans, LA 6 1 85.71% Tom Miller
27 1973 Ebony A/G, Ebony, VA 6 1 85.71% Dale Baird
27 1971 First A/G, New Orleans, LA 6 1 85.71% Lynette Goux
27 1970 First A/G, Newton, IA 6 1 85.71% Greta S.
27 1969 First A/G, Wilmington, CA 6 1 85.71% Dianne Beal
33 2001 Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO 16 3 84.21% Phil Steiger
33 2000 Mountain View A/G, Las Vegas, NV 16 3 84.21% Tom Van Kempen
33 1995 Allison Park A/G, Allison Park, PA 16 3 84.21% John Porter
36 1997 First A/G, Lexington, KY 19 4 82.61% Donna Rees
37 1984 First A/G, New Orleans, LA 9* 2* 81.82% Alice Brent
38 1986 First A/G, Tempe, AZ 12 3 80.00% Steve Eastin
39 2010 Victorious Life Church, Wesley Chapel, FL 16** 5** 76.19% Joshua Weber
40 1985 Ypsilanti A/G, Ypsilanti, MI 8* 3* 72.73% John Mack
41 1981 Renton A/G, Renton, WA 5 2 71.43% Russ Barrans
41 1980 Bigelow A/G, Bigelow, AR 5 2 71.43% Karen Beasley
41 1976 Evangel Temple A/G, Decatur, GA 5 2 71.43% Pat Cobb
N/A 1977 First A/G, Aurora, CO N/A N/A N/A Clara Hoover
N/A 1974 Brookfield A/G, Brookfield, MO N/A N/A N/A Janet Robinson
N/A 1968 Bethel A/G, Arlington, TX N/A N/A N/A L.L. Applegate
N/A 1967 Full Gospel Chapel, Denver, CO N/A N/A N/A Lanny Wirth
N/A 1966 Full Gospel Chapel, Denver, CO N/A N/A N/A Lanny Wirth

* Although 16 teams went to Nationals, they were divided into two separate groups of 8, played a 7-game round robin, and then moved into playoffs. For these two years, their percentage was based on their combined 7-game round robin and playoff performance.
** Playoff rounds are included in the round robin percentage as it is impossible to have a full picture of the win-loss record without it.

Best National Team Champions By Average

Missing several years due missing official printouts for these years, although the results were announced at the official competition.

Ranking is based on a percentage of total attainable points. For a detailed explanation of the differences across the years, see the Eras of Quizzing page.

Rank Year Team Avg Coach
1 1999 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA 278.47 Greg House
2 2003 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA 232.63 Greg House
3 2004 Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO 230.79 Jordan Schneider
4 2002 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA 217.89 Mel Aou
5 1983 First A/G, New Orleans, LA 207.86 Alice Brent
6 2009 First A/G, Owasso, OK 207.44* Kevin Wagner
7 2008 First A/G, Owasso, OK 204.19* John Melberg
8 1972 Stone Church, Palos Heights, IL 204.16*** Phil Waisanen
9 1998 Greens Bayou A/G, Houston, TX 201.30 Norma Schuler
10 1993 Life Center A/G, Lakewood, CA 198.68 Greg House
11 2011 First A/G, Owasso, OK 194.88* Kevin Wagner
12 1964 Burlington A/G, Burlington, NC 193.33 Howard Bundy
13 1992 Park Crest A/G, Springfield, MO 190.63 Cynthia Cathcart
14 1978 Evangel Temple A/G, Decatur, GA 189.29 Alex Cohilas
15 1990 Carpenter’s Home Church, Lakeland, FL 181.67 Nancy Hershner
16 1986 First A/G, Tempe, AZ 179.33 Steve Eastin
17 2005 Cedar Park Church, Bothell, WA 178.42 Kent Kloefkorn
18 1984 First A/G, New Orleans, LA 177.14** Alice Brent
19 1975 A/G, New Sharon, IA 175.00 Arvin DeBoef
20 1991 Carpenter’s Home Church, Lakeland, FL 175.00 Nancy Hershner
21 1994 St. Clair Shores A/G, St. Clair Shores, MI 174.47 Robin Rominske
22 2000 Mountain View A/G, Las Vegas, NV 173.42 Tom VanKempen
23 1963 Bouldercrest A/G, Atlanta, GA 173.33 Cleta Gustafson
24 1971 First A/G, Newton, IA 173.00 Lynette Goux
25 1996 Grace A/G, Syracuse, NY 171.36 Mary Daigle
26 1987 First A/G, Tempe, AZ 170.00 Steve Eastin
27 1985 Ypsilanti A/G, Ypsilanti, MI 169.29** John Mack
28 1989 Citrus Heights A/G, Citrus Heights, CA 168.00 Gretchen Martindale
29 2010 Victorious Life Church, Wesley Chapel, FL 166.74** Joshua Weber
30 1981 Renton A/G, Renton, WA 167.14 Russ Barrans
31 2001 The Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO 159.74 Phil Steiger
32 1997 First A/G, Lexington, KY 155.87 Donna Rees
33 2006 Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO 152.08* Greg House
34 1979 Canal Street A/G, New Orleans, LA 150.71 Tom Miller
35 1982 First A/G, Tecumseh, OK 148.57 Marty Stacey
36 1980 Bigelow A/G, Bigelow, AR 147.14 Karen Beasley
37 2007 Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO 146.51* Greg House
38 1988 Eastside A/G, Tucson, AZ 145.33 Ed Picker
39 1995 Allison Park A/G, Allison Park, PA 141.05 John Porter
40 1976 Evangel Temple A/G, Decatur, GA 97.00*** Pat Cobb
N/A 1977 First A/G, Aurora, CO N/A Lanny Wirth
N/A 1974 Brookfield A/G, Brookfield, MO N/A Janet Robinson
N/A 1973 Ebony A/G, Ebony, VA N/A Dale Baird
N/A 1970 First A/G, Newton, IA N/A Gretta S.
N/A 1969 First A/G, Wilmington, CA N/A Dianne Beal
N/A 1968 Bethel A/G, Arlington, TX N/A L.L. Applegate
N/A 1967 Full Gospel Chapel, Denver, CO N/A Lanny Wirth
N/A 1966 Full Gospel Chapel, Denver, CO N/A Lanny Wirth
N/A 1965 Calvary Full Gospel A/G, Inglewood, CA N/A Rick Ellis

* Normalized using (380 / 430) * (points)
** Years with extra playoffs. The average only includes their regular round robin performance.
*** Not all rounds have data.

Best National Team Champions By Average Margin

Missing several years due missing official printouts for these years, although the results were announced at the official competition.

Ranking is based on the “winning margin” (sum, over all matches, of a team’s score minus their opponent’s score).

Rank Year Team Margin Coach
1 1999 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA 242.39 Greg House
2 2003 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA 179.47 Greg House
3 2002 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA 161.43 Mel Aou
4 1983 First A/G, New Orleans, LA 155.00 Alice Brent
5 2009 First A/G, Owasso, OK 154.73* Kevin Wagner
6 2004 Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO 153.94 Jordan Schneider
7 2008 First A/G, Owasso, OK 149.47* John Melberg
8 2011 First A/G, Owasso, OK 147.37* Kevin Wagner
9 1993 Life Center A/G, Lakewood, CA 145.79 Greg House
10 1998 Green’s Bayou A/G, Houston, TX 129.13 Norma Shuler
11 1972 Stone Church, Palos Heights, IL 121.67*** Phil Waisanen
12 1978 Evangel Temple A/G, Decatur, GA 117.86 Alex Cohilas
13 1991 Carpenter’s Home Church, Lakeland, FL 113.67 Nancy Hershner
14 1992 Park Crest A/G, Springfield, MO 110.94 Synthia Cathcart
15 1987 First A/G, Tempe, AZ 105.31 Steve Eastin
16 2005 Cedar Park A/G, Bothell, WA 98.16 Kent Kloefkorn
17 1996 Grace A/G, Syracuse, NY 93.87 Mary Daigle
18 1994 St. Clair Shores A/G, St. Clair Shores, MI 86.58 Robin Rominske
19 1984 First A/G, New Orleans, LA 85.71 Alice Brent
20 2000 Mountain View A/G, Las Vegas, NV 84.21 Tom Van Kempen
21 1975 A/G, New Sharon, IA 83.57 Arvin DeBoef
22 1985 First A/G, Ypsilanti, MI 82.86** John Mack
23 1986 First A/G, Tempe, AZ 81.67 Steve Eastin
24 1997 First A/G, Lexington, KY 80.65 Donna Rees
25 1964 Burlington A/G, Burlington, NC 78.33 Howard Bundy
26 1989 Citrus Heights A/G, Citrus Heights, CA 77.00 Gretchen Martindale
27 2001 Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO 73.68 Phil Steiger
28 2006 Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO 72.37* Greg House
29 2007 Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO 72.11* Greg House
30 1963 Bouldercrest A/G, Atlanta, GA 65.00 Cleta Gustafson
31 1971 First A/G, New Orleans, LA 60.00*** Lynette Goux
32 1995 Allison Park A/G, Allison Park, PA 55.26 John Porter
33 1990 Carpenter’s Home Church, Lakeland, FL 50.67 Nancy Hershner
34 1988 Eastside A/G, Tucson, AZ 48.33 Ed Picker
35 1981 Renton A/G, Renton, WA 47.14 Russ Barrans
36 1979 Canal Street A/G, New Orleans, LA 33.57 Tom Miller
37 1982 First A/G, Tecumseh, OK 25.71 Marty Stacey
37 1976 Evangel Temple A/G, Decatur, GA 10.00*** Pat Cobb
38 1980 Bigelow A/G, Bigelow, AR 2.14 Karen Beasley
N/A 1977 First A/G, Aurora, CO N/A Lanny Wirth
N/A 1974 Brookfield A/G, Brookfield, MO N/A Janet Robinson
N/A 1973 Ebony A/G, Ebony, VA N/A Dale Baird
N/A 1970 First A/G, Newton, IA N/A Gretta S.
N/A 1969 First A/G, Wilmington, CA N/A Dianne Beal
N/A 1968 Bethel A/G, Arlington, TX N/A L.L. Applegate
N/A 1967 Full Gospel Chapel, Denver, CO N/A Lanny Wirth
N/A 1966 Full Gospel Chapel, Denver, CO N/A Lanny Wirth
N/A 1965 Calvary Full Gospel A/G, Inglewood, CA N/A Rick Ellis

* Only five questions required for a quiz-out with 430 point maximum compared to a 380 maximum before 2006.
** 16 teams at National Finals divided into two separate groups. The winning margin based solely on their 7-game round robin performance, even though they never played the 8 teams from the other group. As both teams benefited from this, no scores were normalized as it very minimal effect.
*** Not all rounds have data.

Largest National 1st/2nd Place Margin of Victory

The last record measured years where National Championship was very closely decided between multiple teams. This record is just the opposite. The gap described below is the difference between the number of wins of the first place team and second place team. Only years with a 2 or more game difference are listed. The remaining years were all won by 1 game. See the records above for details on why two teams had a negative margin.

Games Year Team Coach
6 1999 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA Greg House
6 2003 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA Greg House
3 2008 Owasso First A/G, Owasso, OK John Melberg
3 2002 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA Mel Aou
2 2006 Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO Greg House
2 2004 Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO Jordan Schneider
2 1997 First A/G, Lexington, KY Donna Rees
2 1991 Carpenter’s Home Church, Lakeland, FL Nancy Hershner
2 1989 Citrus Heights A/G, Citrus Heights, CA Gretchen Martindale
2 1988 Eastside A/G, Tucson, AZ Ed Picker
2 1975 A/G, New Sharon, IA Arvin DeBoef
-1 2011 Owasso First A/G, Owasso, OK Kevin Wagner
-1 1985 Ypsilanti A/G, Ypsilanti, MI John Mack
-2 2010 Victorious Life A/G, Wesley Chapel, FL Joshua Weber

Back-to-Back National Championships

Years Team Coach(es)
2008 & 2009 Owasso First A/G, Owasso, OK John Melberg/Kevin Wagner
2006 & 2007 Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO Greg House
2002 & 2003 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA Mel Aou/Greg House
1991 & 1992 Carpenter’s Home Church, Lakeland, FL Nancy Hershner
1986 & 1987 First A/G, Tempe, AZ Steve Eastin
1983 & 1984 First A/G, New Orleans, LA Alice Brent
1966 & 1967 Full Gospel Chapel, Denver, CO Lanny Wirth

Undefeated National Champions

From 1963-1965 the only way to win was by being undefeated because the competition was a single-elimination tournament consisting of 8 teams (top team from each region).

Years W Team Coach(es)
2008 19 Owasso First A/G, Owasso, OK John Melberg
2003 19 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA Greg House
2002 19 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA Mel Aou
1999 23 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA Greg House
1978 7 Evangel A/G, Decatur, GA Alex Cohilas
1975 7 A/G, New Sharon, IA Arvin DeBoef
1972 7 Stone Church, Palos Heights, IL Phil Waisanen
1965 3 Calvary Full Gospel A/G, Inglewood, CA Rick Ellis
1964 3 Burlington A/G, Burlington, NC N/A
1963 3 Bouldercrest A/G, Atlanta, GA Cleta Gustafson

Perfect Games at National Finals

A perfect game indicates a team getting the highest possible score, which requires the highest possible number of quiz-outs. Before 2006 this number was three. From 2006 on, that number is four. For teams with only three quizzers, any match where all three quiz out, with no errors or fouls also counts as a perfect game, provided the unanswered questions are all 10s.

Year Team Games Coach
1999 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA 1 Greg House
1993 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA 1 Greg House
1992 Park Crest A/G, Springfield, MO 1 Synthia Cathcart

300/340 Games at National Finals

For all the years that 380 was the maximum score for a single team, a game in which a team scored 300 or more points in a single match was considered a phenomenal match. This is a (mostly) complete list of how many 300+ games have occurred at National Finals. Once the maximum score for a single team was raised to 430 points in 2006, the same percentage of total score that applied to a 380 game (78.94 percent of the possible points) was applied to the new 430-point total, yielding an equally phenomenal match of 340 points.

Year Games Scores Team Coach
1999 9 300, 305 (2), 320, 330 (2), 350 (2), 360 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA Greg House
2003 3 310, 325, 340 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA Greg House
2010 1 345 Owasso First A/G, Owasso, OK Kevin Wagner
2009 1 370 Owasso First A/G, Owasso, OK Kevin Wagner
2009 1 360 Faith A/G, West Plains, MO Sarah George
2008 1 365 Owasso First A/G, Owasso, OK John Melberg
2005 1 300 Cedar Park A/G, Bothell, WA Kent Kloefkorn
2004 1 315 Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO Jordan Schneider
2002 1 300 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA Mel Aou
2001 1 315 Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO Phil Steiger
2001 1 300 Family Life A/G, Topeka, KS Sue Jacobson
1996 1 330 Calvary Church, Naperville, IL Scott Papendick
1993 1 350 Life Center A/G, Lakewood, CA Greg House
1992 1 360 Park Crest A/G, Springfield, MO Synthia Cathcart
1990 1 335 Allison Park A/G, Allison Park, PA John Porter
1990 1 310 Carpenter’s Home Church, Lakeland, FL Nancy Hershner
1990 1 310 Citrus Heights A/G, Citrus Heights, CA Gretchen Martindale
1990 1 305 First A/G, Moberly, MO Randy Lee
1987 1 330 First A/G, Tempe, AZ Steve Eastin
1986 1 315 First A/G, Tempe, AZ Steve Eastin
1985 1 330 First A/G, New Orleans, LA Alice Brent

NOTES:

  • 1964, 1975, 1978-1984, 1988 - 1989, 1991, 1997 - 1998, 2000, 2006 - 2007: No Perfect Games
  • 1963, 1965, 1971, 1972, 1976: No Perfect Games in the available incomplete data
  • 1966 - 1974, 1977, 1992, 1994 - 1995, 2003: No round-by-round data

National Champions, but not Regional Champions

From 1963 to 1983, only regional champions competed at Nationals.

This record commends the teams putting in the extra effort between Regional and National Finals.

Year Team Regionals
2010 Victorous Life Church, Wesley Chapel, FL 2nd
2000 Mountain View A/G, Las Vegas, NV* 3rd
1996 Grace A/G, Syracuse, NY 2nd
1991 Carpenter’s Home Church, Lakeland, FL 2nd
1990 Carpenter’s Home Church, Lakeland, FL 2nd
1989 Citrus Heights A/G, Citrus Heights, CA 2nd

* Six teams placed second at Regional Finals, while only Mountain View A/G, Las Vegas, NV placed third at Regional Finals.

8+ Consecutive Championship Division Appearences

No team accomplished this feat when only eight teams were allowed to attend (prior to 1986). Only one team is known to have won eight consecutive regional championships. A different number of teams were allowed to attend Nationals across the years. If five teams were always permitted to attend, other teams would certaintly have made it to more Nationals, such as Central A/G, Springfield, MO that would have attended in 1994 and 1998 making a 16 year streak; a similar scenario exists for Bouldercrest/Decatur. This record also only takes into account whether a church had a team at national finals, ignoring if they sent multiple teams. For a detailed explanation of the differences across the years, see the Eras of Quizzing page.

# Team Years Coach(es)
14 Radiant Church/Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO** 1996-09 Phil Steiger/Jordan Schneider/Greg House
13 Cedar Park A/G, Bothell, WA* 1998-10 Richard Conner/Kent Kloefkorn/Chandra Porter/Kari Brodin
12 Allison Park A/G, Allison Park, PA 1989-02 John Porter/Jason Martin/Bev Herzberg
8 Central A/G, Springfield, MO 1986-93 Ron Johnson, Kathy Wootton, Rob Laurens, Marcae Johnson
8 Calvary Christian Center/Life Center/Orange, CA** 1989-96 Greg House
8 Braeswood A/G, Houston, TX 1999-06 Paul Kramer/Emeka Kanu

* In 2002, Bothell’s “second” team was in the championship division while their “first” team was in the challenger division. Chandra Porter coached the “second” team that year.
** The entire team moved to another church. Radiant Church planted Briargate and the entire team moved.

10+ Championsip Division Appearances

This record includes if a church sent multiple teams in one year. Since this record only includes the Championship Division, multiple teams aren’t included:

  • Fort Myers, FL
  • Tacoma, WA
  • Orlando, FL
  • Santa Ana, CA
  • Dunwoody, GA
  • Lexington, KY
  • West Lafayette, IN
  • Radiant Church, Colorado Springs, CO attended in 1995, but didn’t make it out of the third-place tournament.
# Team Years Coach(es) W L
17 Central A/G, Springfield, MO ‘76, ‘86-‘93, ‘95, ‘96 (2), ‘97, ‘99-‘00, ‘09-‘10 Greg Mundis, Ron Johnson, Kathy Wootton, Rob Laurens, Marcae Johnson, Dilla Dawson, Kevin Dawson, Dave Hatley, Richard Fair 163 136
15 Radiant Church/Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO ‘92-‘93, ‘96-‘02, ‘04, ‘05 (2), ‘06-‘09 Darla Caudle, Phil Steiger, Jordan Schneider, Eric Lind, Greg House 187 129
15* Cedar Park A/G, Bothell, WA ‘98-‘04, ‘05 (2), ‘06 (2), ‘07-‘10 Richard Conner/Kent Kloefkorn/Chandra Porter/Kari Brodin 179 114
15 Braeswood A/G, Houston, TX ‘90-‘93, ‘99-‘06, ‘08-‘10 Jerome Tang/Paul Kramer/Emeka Kanu 152 126
14 Bouldercrest A/G, Atlanta, GA
Evangel Temple A/G, Decatur, GA
Evangel Community Church, Centerville, GA
Evangel Community Church, Snellville, GA		 ‘63, ‘65, ‘75, ‘76, ‘78-‘79, ‘81-‘82, ‘84-‘85, ‘89-‘91, ‘01 Cleta Gustafson/Pat Cobb/Alex Cohilas/Susan Parr/Mark Gilmer/Rob Laurens N/A N/A
11 Grace A/G, Syracuse, NY ‘93, ‘94 (2), ‘95-‘99, ‘01-‘02, ‘06 Kurt Mayer/Mary Daigle/John Nardozzi 128 96
11 Faith A/G, Orlando, FL ‘93, ‘96, ‘98, ‘02-‘03, ‘05-‘10 Garrett Smiley/Ray Berkey 94 122
10 First A/G, Lexington, KY ‘96-‘97, ‘02-‘08, ‘10 Donna Rees/Dave White/Karen White/Jon Galliers 119 78

Other Consecutive Team Records

Years Team Record Coach
1979-1981 Calvary Temple, Riverside, CA 3 Consecutive 2nd Place Finishes Joann Collins
1979-1983 Trinity A/G, Lanham, MD 5 Consecutive 3rd Place Finishes John Bayko
2005-2008 James River A/G, Ozark, MO 4 Consecutive 3rd Place Finishes John Porter/Bev Porter
2006-2009 Cedar Park A/G, Bothell, WA 4 Consecutive 2nd Place Finishes Kari Brodin

Other Team Records

Years Team Record Coach
2008-2011 First A/G, Owasso, OK Best Record Four Years in a Row (19-0, 18-1, 17-2, 17-2) John Melberg/Kevin Wagner (3)
1999, 2002-03 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA Three Undefeated National Championships (23-0, 19-0, 19-0) Greg House (2)/Mel Aou
1999 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA Doubled the score of any other team (6405 vs 3105) Greg House
1999 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA Finished the year with a record of 270-1 Greg House
1999 Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA Top quizzer on team (Kent Piacenti) single-handedly outscores all other teams at National Finals (3500 vs. 3105) Greg House
1975 A/G, New Sharon, IA Reportedly undefeated for the entire year (actual record unknown) Arvin DeBoef
2005-2008 James River A/G, Ozark, MO 4 Consecutive 3rd Place Finishes John Porter/Bev Porter
2006-2009 Cedar Park A/G, Bothell, WA 4 Consecutive 2nd Place Finishes Kari Brodin

Individual Records

Quizzers with Multiple National Championships

# Years Quizzer Team Coach(es)
4 1999, 2002-2004 David Dorey Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA
Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO		 Greg House, Mel Aou, Greg House, Jordan Schneider
3 2008, 2009, 2011 Jesse Wagner First A/G, Owasso, OK John Melberg, Kevin Wagner (2)
3 2008, 2009, 2011 Daniel Wagner First A/G, Owasso, OK John Melberg, Kevin Wagner (2)
3 2001, 2004, 2006 Molly Pace Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO Phil Steiger, Jordan Schneider, Greg House
2 2008, 2009 Joshua Wagner Owasso First A/G, Owasso, OK John Melberg, Kevin Wagner
2 2006, 2007 Andrew Kelley Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO Greg House
2 2006, 2007 Michael Rose Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO Greg House
2 2001, 2004 Mary Pace Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO Phil Steiger, Jordan Schneider
2 2002, 2003 Peter Brown Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA Mel Aou, Greg House
2 1999, 2002 Ricky Haney Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA Greg House, Mel Aou
2 1998, 1999 Kent Piacenti Greens Bayou A/G, Houston, TX
Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA		 Norma Schuler, Greg House
2 1991, 1992 Josh Weber Carpenter’s Home Church, Lakeland, FL Nancy Herschner
2 1991, 1992 Garrett Smiley Carpenter’s Home Church, Lakeland, FL Nancy Herschner
2 1986, 1987 Terry Hayward First A/G, Tempe, AZ Steve Eastin
2 1986, 1987 Kori Rimbey First A/G, Tempe, AZ Steve Eastin
2 1983, 1984 Tamara Brent First A/G, New Orleans, A/G Alice Brent
2 1983, 1984 Robbie Egan First A/G, New Orleans, A/G Alice Brent
2 1983, 1984 Jason Finley First A/G, New Orleans, A/G Alice Brent
2 1983, 1984 Joseph Leija First A/G, New Orleans, A/G Alice Brent
2 1983, 1984 Laurie Nettles First A/G, New Orleans, A/G Alice Brent
2 1976, 1978 Mark Gilmer Evangel A/G, Decatur, GA Alex Cohilas
2 1976, 1978 Rhett Laurens Evangel A/G, Decatur, GA Alex Cohilas
2 1976, 1978 Scott Simmering Evangel A/G, Decatur, GA Alex Cohilas
2 1976, 1978 Ronnie Wright Evangel A/G, Decatur, GA Alex Cohilas
2 1966, 1967 Wanda Bishop Full Gospel Chapel, Denver, CO Lanny Wirth
2 1966, 1967 Sharon Workman Full Gospel Chapel, Denver, CO Lanny Wirth

Highest Individual Average

No scores have been altered. The number of questions for a quiz-out is now 5, but the bonus points are now 20. To an extent, these factors off-set each other. Under this system, no new quizzer will ever break the record set by Kent Piacenti in 1999, however, Kent achieved his record with sixteen perfect games (160). Even under today’s slighty relaxed standards, no one else has ever come close to his record.

# Year Quizzer Team Total Rounds Avg
1 1999 Kent Piacenti* Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA 3500 23 152.17
2 2004 David Dorey* Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO 2595 19 136.58
3 1998 Kent Piacenti* Greens Bayou A/G, Houston, TX 3055 23 132.83
4 2006 Jon Galliers First A/G, Lexington, KY 2520 19 132.63
5 2011 Abby Rogers* Victorious Life Church, Wesley Chapel, FL 2500 19 131.58
6 2002 Peter Brown* Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA 2390 19 125.79
7 2001 Michael Pearson The Oaks Fellowship A/G, Dallas, TX 2285 19 120.26
8 2010 Abby Rogers* Victorious Life Church, Wesley Chapel, FL 2245 19 118.16
9 2009 Jared Burkhalter Faith A/G, Orlando, FL 2200 19 115.79
10 1996 Daniel Slater Cornerstone A/G, Beulah, MI 2540 22 115.41
11 1995 Sannejo Leonard First A/G, Santa Ana, CA 2190 19 115.26
12 1994 Lisa Wootton First A/G, Bartlesville, OK 2170 19 114.21
13 1983 John Wootton Byesville A/G, Byesville, OK 795 7 113.57
14 1982 Ken Henderson* Tecumseh A/G, Tecumseh, OK 790 7 112.86
15 1987 Tammy Yost First A/G, Branford, CT 1785 17 111.56
16 2008 Grant Warnock Journey Church, Bridgeville, PA 2090 19 110
17 1981 Kari Brodin* Renton A/G, Renton, WA 765 7 109.29
18 1985 Lester Cowan Calvary A/G, Festus, MO 765 7 109.29
19 2000 Dan Marlow First A/G, Topeka, KS 2050 19 107.89
20 1991 Kim Smalley Charity A/G, Laveen, AZ 1595 15 106.33
21 2003 Zachary Sullivan First A/G, San Angelo, TX 2010 19 105.79
22 1997 Kent Piacenti** Life Community Church, Sunnyvale, TX 2405 23 104.57
22* 1997 Jeremy Horn** First A/G, Shreveport, LA 2405 23 104.57
24 2007 Jared Burkhalter Faith A/G, Orlando, FL 2005 19 105.53
25 1993 Lisa Wootton First A/G, Bartlesville, OK 1920 19 101.05
26 1990 Brian Gibbons Moosic A/G, Moosic, PA 1480 15 98.67
27 2005 Jon Galliers First A/G, Lexington, KY 1860 19 97.89
28 1978 Ronnie Wright* Evangel Temple A/G, Decatur, GA 665 7 95
29 1986 Nichole Brandon Woodlake A/G, Tulsa, OK 1395 15 93
30 1988 Marcae Johnson Central A/G, Springfield, MO 1380 15 92
31 1979 Rhett Laurens Evangel Temple A/G, Decatur, GA 625 7 89.29
32 1980 Billy Muniz Calvary Temple A/G, Riverside, CA 590 7 84.29

* Quizzer was a member of the national championship team
** Although ties are typically broken by quiz-outs, this one was not.

Difference in Avg Score between 1st and 2nd

No data for 1963 - 1978, 1984, 1989, 1991

Since the total possible score differs significantly over the years (see Eras of Quizzing for more details), the differences are listed by average points per game. Consider that a 100-point gap when there are 19 games is different than when there are only 7 games.

Other interesting observations related to this data:

  • In 1980, only 10 points per game separated the top 5 quizzers.
  • In 1982, 8.58 points per game separated the top 3 quizzers.
  • In 2000, 12.63 points per game separated the top 4 quizzers.

All years for which we have data are included. In some years, this gap was extraordinarily high. The highest scoring quizzer is listed first for each year.

Year Gap Quizzer (1st) Quizzer (2nd)
2003 0.26 Zach Sullivan David Dorey
1980 0.71 Billy Muniz Jeff Wood
1978 0.71 Ronnie Wright Greg Kelley
2008 3.68 Grant Warnock Jared Burkhalter
2010 3.95 Abby Rogers James Lex
1985 4.29 Lester Cowan Nicole Brandon
1982 4.29 Lester Cowan Nicole Brandon
1981 4.29 Kari Brodin Ken Henderson
1988 4.33 Marcae Johnson Jason Picker
2000 4.73 Dan Marlow Valerie Marchalonis
2009 5.53 Jared Burkhalter James Lex
1986 5.67 Nicole Brandon David Lowe
1997 6.3 Kent Piacenti
Jeremy Horn		 Shelly Rogers
1995 6.63 Sanejo Leonard Jolene Papendick
1987 9.06 Tammy Yost David Lowe
2005 11.31 Jon Galliers Brandon Duffy
1993 11.58 Lisa Wootton Dan Smith
1990 11.67 Brian Gibbons Mark Childers
1991 12.67 Kim Smalley JoEllyn Kruger
2001 14.47 Michael Pearson Dan Marlow
1983 15.71 John Wootton Joseph Leija
1996 16.59 Dan Slater Jolene Papendick
2007 17.37 Jared Burkhalter Brandon Duffy
1994 27.89 Lisa Wootton Joy Daigle
1998 28.26 Kent Piacenti Aaron Collins
2006 30.79 Jon Galliers Brandon Duffy
2011 31.58 Abby Rogers Tamera Burkhalter
Daniel Wagner
2002 32.68 Peter Brown Aaron Kohler
2004 37.9 David Dorey Jon Galliers
1999 66.3 Kent Piacenti Jim Fenton
Valerie Marchalonis

Years High Scorer on National Championship Team

Year Quizzer Church
2010 Abby Rogers Victorious Life Church, Wesley Chapel, FL
2004 David Dorey Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO
2002 Peter Brown Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA
1999 Kent Piacenti Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA
1998 Kent Piacenti Greens Bayou A/G, Houston, TX
1982 Ken Henderson Tecumseh A/G, Tecumseh, OK
1981 Kari Brodin Renton A/G, Renton, WA
1978 Ronnie Wright Evangel Temple A/G, Decatur, GA
1977 Jodi Heugel First A/G, Aurora, CO

Consecutive Top Scorers

Years Quizzer # Team
1997-1999 Kent Piacenti 3 Life Community Church, Sunnyvale, TX
Greens Bayou A/G, Houston, TX
Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA
1970-1971 Linda Whorton 2 Centreville A/G, Centreville, VA
1983-1984 John Wootton 2 A/G, Byesville, OH
1993-1994 Lisa Wootton 2 First A/G, Bartlesville, OK
2005-2006 Jon Galliers 2 First A/G, Lexington, KY
2010-2011 Abby Rogers 2 Victorious Life Church, Wesley Chapel, FL

Multiple Top Scorers

Years Quizzer # Team
1997-1999 Kent Piacenti 3 Life Community Church, Sunnyvale, TX
Greens Bayou A/G, Houston, TX
Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA
1970-1971 Linda Whorton 2 Centreville A/G, Centreville, VA
1983-1984 John Wootton 2 A/G, Byesville, OH
1993-1994 Lisa Wootton 2 First A/G, Bartlesville, OK
2005-2006 Jon Galliers 2 First A/G, Lexington, KY
2007,2009 Jared Burkhalter 2 Faith A/G, Orlando, FL
2010-2011 Abby Rogers 2 Victorious Life Church, Wesley Chapel, FL

Top Scorer and Individual Champion

Year Quizzer Church
2010 Abby Rogers Victorious Life Church, Wesley Chapel, FL
2004 David Dorey Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO
1999 Kent Piacenti Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA
1998 Kent Piacenti Greens Bayou A/G, Houston, TX
1997 Jeremy Horn First A/G, Shreveport, LA
1988 Marcae Johnson Central A/G, Springfield, MO

Bible Quiz “Triple Crown”

Requirements:

  • Individual Tournament winner
  • Member of the National Championship team
  • Top Scorer
Year Quizzer Church
2010 Abby Rogers Victorious Life Church, Wesley Chapel, FL
2004 David Dorey Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO
1999 Kent Piacenti Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA
1998 Kent Piacenti Greens Bayou A/G, Houston, TX

Bible Quiz “Grand Slam”

Requirements:

  • Individual Tournament winner
  • Member of the National Championship team
  • Top Scorer
  • Best Quiz-out Percentage
Year Quizzer Church
2004 David Dorey Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs, CO
1999 Kent Piacenti Orange Hills A/G, Orange, CA
1998 Kent Piacenti Greens Bayou A/G, Houston, TX

Highest Forward Quiz-Outs

Data either missing or not kept for 1963-1989 and 1992.

Since 2006’s change to 5 for a quiz out, this statistic is slightly skewed. Jon Galliers is the only quizzer to quiz out forward every round, however in both 1998 and 1999, Kent would’ve done so as well given only 5 for a quiz out.

# Year Quizzer Rounds QO Fwd QO Bk %
1 1999 Kent Piacenti 23 22 0 95.65%
1* 1998 Kent Piacenti 23 22 1 95.65%
1* 2006 Jon Galliers 19 19 0 100.00%
1* 2006 Abby Rogers 19 19 0 100.00%
5 2010 Jesse Wagner 19 18 1 94.74%
6 2004 David Dorey 19 17 1 89.47%
6* 2003 David Dorey 19 17 1 89.47%
6* 2001 Michael Pearson 19 17 1 89.47%
6* 2009 James Lex 19 17 1 89.47%
10 2008 Grant Warnock 19 16 0 84.21%
11 1996 Karl Dawson 22 18 4 81.82%
12 1997 Jeremy Horn 23 17 3 73.91%
13 2007 Jared Burkhalter 19 14 4 73.68%
13*   Brandon Duffy 19 14 2 73.68%
15 1991 Garrett Smiley 15 11 3 73.33%
16 1994 Lisa Wootton 19 13 0 68.42%
16* 1995 Sanejo Leonard 19 13 2 68.42%
18 1990 Brian Gibbons 15 9 3 60.00%
19 2002 April Pryor 19 11 1 57.89%
19* 2000 Dan Marlow 19 11 2 57.89%
21 1993 Stacy Hart 19 10 1 52.63%
21* 1993 Dan Smith 19 10 3 52.63%
21* 2005 Brittanica Chesser 19 10 N/A 52.63%

Siblings in the Top 10

Year Quizzers Placements Church
2011 Daniel Wagner
Jesse Wagner		 3rd
4th		 Owasso First A/G, Owasso, OK
2010 Daniel Wagner
Jesse Wagner		 4th
5th		 Owasso First A/G, Owasso, OK
2009 Brandon Duffy
Jenna-Jo Duffy		 4th
10th		 Cedar Park Church, Bothell, WA
2008 Joshua Wagner
Jesse Wagner		 5th
7th		 Owasso First A/G, Owasso, OK
2007 Brandon Duffy
Jenna-Jo Duffy		 2nd
6th		 Cedar Park Church, Bothell, WA
2005 Brandon Duffy
Jenna-Jo Duffy		 2nd
10th		 Cedar Park Church, Bothell, WA
1992 Bryan Wootton
Lisa Wootton		 3rd
4th		 First A/G, Bartlesville, OK
1989 Chris Aou
Mel Aou		 5th
10th		 Calvary Christian Center, Buena Park, CA