Bradwell Institute’s Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl team won its third straight state championship Saturday.

It was the fourth consecutive year the school made the state finals of the Reading Bowl at the University of Georgia. This year, Bradwell faced Gainesville High School in a two-round, 30-question final.

After the first round of 15 questions, Bradwell and Gainesville were tied at 70 points. Bradwell quickly took a four-question lead in round two, but Gainesville answered the next five questions. With two questions remaining, the teams were tied again. The competition ended with Bradwell answering the final two questions, winning 140-120.

The GHRRB began in 2003, and today consists of teams from schools across the state.

Bradwell began the season by defeating Liberty County High School in January to advance to the South Regional Bowl at Valdosta State University on Feb. 13. Finishing first in the region, Bradwell earned a spot in the Division II Bowl at Georgia Southern University on Feb. 27. The divisional win sealed the team’s right to defend the state title.

While several Liberty County teams advanced in the reading competitions, this year, Bradwell was the only local team to compete in the state finals.

BI was the state runner-up in 2013, and state champions in 2014, 2015 and 2016.