John Paul Taylor
Class of 2020 and current Quizbowl player (Literature and RMP specialist) at Carbondale Community High School, John Paul Taylor began his career in 2016 as a freshman. His middle school, Saint Andrew Catholic School in Murphysboro, did not have a team. John Paul placed first individually in prelims and overall at Frostbite 2, as well as first in prelims at the Piasa Bird Invitational IV and third at the 2019 Barron Robinson Memorial Tournament behind Johnathan Lau and Tim Cho, and has won MVP at every one of his conference tournaments in 2019. John Paul ended with a 5-2 record at 2018 Scobol Solo after consecutive losses to Johnathan Lau and Olivia Lamberti, and placed second in room 2 at 2018 Quizbowl camp behind Arjun Nageswaran. John Paul was unable to attend the 2019 HSNCT, but was his team's first scorer at PACE with 69 PPG, placing 30th individually in prelims and leading his team to 60th place. In 2019, John Paul received both All-sectional and All-state (2nd team) honors.