Brain Busters

Brain Busters is a high school quiz bowl tournament sponsored by Westfield Insurance (formerly by Capital Blue Cross) and televised by WGAL of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was first held in 2002. It is hosted by Rich Rosen, who likes to chat up the players about their obscure interests. From 1998 to 2001 it was preceded by a similar program known as High Q, televised by WHTM of Harrisburg and also hosted by Rosen. The tournament is structured as a single-elimination bracket; recent fields have been capped at 38 teams. The format is an idiosyncratic variation of four-quarter format involving five rounds as follows:

• first round: 10-point tossups
• second round: one-on-one faceoff between individual players on 10-point tossups
• third round: wager round
• fourth round: lightning round with three choices (rather than the four given at the NAC)
• fifth round: 20-point tossups.

Prizes have included various values of college scholarships and free entry to a local amusement park for the student body of the winning high school.

WGAL.com: Brain Busters

Brain Busters on Westfield's site

Capital Blue Cross press release for the 2002 Brain Busters season

Linden Hall student newspaper with full format description

Results

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	Link
2016	Cedar Crest 440	Spring Grove 110	Link
2015
2014
2013	Manheim Township 480	Hershey 305
2012	Manheim Township 545	Lower Dauphin 345	Link
2011	Lancaster Catholic 420	Manheim Township 380
2010
2009	Cumberland Valley 415	Lancaster Country Day 385
2008		Manheim Township
2007
2006	Penn Manor	Manheim Township	Link