Photo Caption: 2025-2026 Upper Darby Hi-Q team
Front Row (L to R): M D Arib Aseer, Atif Ashraf, Albert Hong, Vien Zhao, Iftakhar Tarunno, Afefa Mahera, Isaiah Smith
Back Row (L to R): Faculty Advisor, Mr. Joe Rigg, Ajmhin Azad, Akm Uddin, Cole Williams, Jason Gao, Sam Ly, Nick Fitzpatrick, Muntahar Nahied, Bashantdeep Singh
Delco, PA – On Wednesday, February 18, Haverford High School hosted the first-ever Wildcard Round of Delco Hi-Q. The newly introduced Wildcard Round gives the teams that finish 7th, 8th, and 9th in the regular season a final opportunity to compete for a place in the Semi-Finals.
Upper Darby High School earned the historic first victory, securing their spot in the Semi-Finals. After finishing eighth in the regular season, Upper Darby faced Haverford, seventh, and Springfield, who came in ninth, in a tightly contested match where each team held the lead at various points.
Bonus points proved difficult to secure, though Upper Darby capitalized on key opportunities in the first half. By halftime, all three teams were separated by just four points. The competition remained close throughout the second half, with Springfield and Upper Darby tied at 40-40 heading into the final math toss-up. Within seconds of the final question being read, Upper Darby buzzed in with the correct answer, earning four points and clinching the win to advance to next week’s Semi-Finals.
On Tuesday, February 24, Delaware County Christian School (3) will host Strath Haven High School (4) and Marple Newtown High School (5) in the first playoff contest. Penncrest (2) will then host Garnet Valley (6) and Upper Darby (7) on Thursday, February 26.
The winners of the two Semi-Final contests will advance to the 78th Delco Hi-Q Championship, where they will compete against Radnor High School. Radnor finished the regular season as the top-scoring team and will host the championship on Wednesday, March 11, setting the stage for the county’s top academic teams to compete for the title.
As the oldest continuous academic quiz competition in the nation, Delco Hi-Q once again showcases the dedication, teamwork, and academic excellence of students across Delaware County.
Delco Hi-Q is a partnership between Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) and Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union Foundation. FMFCU Vice President Rick Durante serves as Director and Quizmaster, FMFCU Corporate Social Responsibility Program Manager Danielle Griffin is Hi-Q Assistant Director, and DCIU’s Dave Bramble is the production engineer. In addition to support from the 21 participating schools, Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union and the Wilbur C. and Betty Lea Henderson Foundation are the primary corporate sponsors. Additional support comes from long-time sponsor Kimberly-Clark Chester Operations and The Daily Times.
