Back-to-Back: SCU Students Claim the 2025 CalChiro Quiz Bowl

Southern California University of Health Sciences students win the CalChiro Quiz Bowl for a second year in a row at the CalChiro Fall Conference, held August 28–30, 2025, at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim.

The ballroom buzzed before the first question. Teams checked in, glanced at notes, and tried to read the room. When the round opened, SCU’s table leaned forward together. They stayed that way all afternoon.

By the final tally, Southern California University of Health Sciences had won the CalChiro Quiz Bowl for the second straight year. For the students, the trophy mattered. The way they earned it mattered more: quick recall, steady hands, and a shared rhythm built in classrooms and labs across campus.

“We figured out the team a few minutes prior,” said Jordan Jacobson of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. He smiled at the chaos that came before the calm. “Feels good to know SCU is giving us the knowledge we need to succeed.”

The turn that set the tone

There was a shoulder question that could have gone either way. The opposing team guessed the bursa. SCU answered “supraspinatus tendon.” That moment shifted the room. From there, the group managed pace and risk—when to buzz, when to pass, when to huddle for a two-point follow-up.

“We were on a roll early,” said Angelica Robles of Whittier, now in her tenth term. “The format forced smart choices—take the challenge or pass and let the other team take the chance. Winning back the trophy reassured the knowledge I’ve worked for, and I felt proud for myself and my teammates, including two first-years.”

What the questions asked—and what the program teaches

The rounds leaned on functional anatomy, orthopedic exams, chiropractic history, and case-style questions. That overlap did not happen by accident.

Jacobson said the content aligned with his work for Parts II–IV board preparation. Robles pointed to class guides and her quick review with the club president. Christian Montoya, who grew up in South Pasadena, put it plainly: “A lot of questions were orthopedic. The stuff we learned in courses like IPA, FABS, and GA showed up.” He added a note for younger students: “Whenever you begin to doubt yourself, remember that you know a lot more than you think you know.”

Team chemistry in real time

The group formed fast but functioned like a unit. One student called an answer. Another filled in the follow-up. They traded roles without ego. They also enjoyed a new game segment that felt more like a crowd favorite than a pop quiz.

“Loved the Family-Feud-style section,” Robles said. “It gave every student a fair shot and made teamwork matter.”

Mentors, habits, and the quiet work behind the win

Students credited faculty who made the day possible: Dr. Daryl Capen and classroom instructors who stressed fundamentals and repetition. A reminder from Dr. Bui echoed in practice: know your material and trust it under pressure.

Not every path to the podium looked the same. Jacobson leaned on board prep. Robles blocked time in the days leading up to and did a quick pass on the day of. Montoya joined a team minutes before the event and still found the beats that swing a match—an early buzz, a clean answer, and the bonus that follows.

How SCU Prepares Students

Two titles in two years says something about the students. It also says something about the program. The win reflects a campus that prizes clear thinking, peer learning, and confidence under time pressure. It demonstrates how a curriculum designed for clinical practice simultaneously teaches recall and reasoning.

Robles chose SCU for that mix. She wanted a program close to family with faculty who “have been amazing mentors and extremely supportive.” Jacobson’s bio reads the same way: he chose a school that trains students “to be doctors first and chiropractors second.”

Meet the Students

Jordan Jacobson — Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Board preparation aligned with Quiz Bowl content; key answer related to the supraspinatus tendon. Chose SCU for training that develops strong clinical thinkers.

Angelica Robles — Whittier, California. Tenth term. Prepped with short review sessions and club support. Praised the Family-Feud-style segment for rewarding teamwork.

Christian Montoya — South Pasadena, California. Joined the team minutes before the event. Noted pivotal early buzzes and clean bonus follow-ups.

Taylor Foster — Los Angeles County (San Diego and Riverside roots). Drew on early-term coursework and represented SCU’s science-first training.

What’s Next

The team plans to share study notes with peers and invite first-year students to open practice nights this fall. The goal is simple: keep building knowledge, speed, and trust—on campus and on stage.