Black-Eyed Susan First Chance Invitational / BESSO-FC

The Black-Eyed Susan First Chance Invitational (often abbreviated BESSO or BESSO-FC) is an invitational Science Olympiad tournament held annually in the United States. It is designed primarily as an early-season competition, giving teams an opportunity to compete under tournament conditions before advancing to regional, state, or national Science Olympiad events. The Black-Eyed Susan First Chance Invitational serves as a “first chance” tournament for Science Olympiad teams, particularly those seeking practice with new events, rules, and team compositions at the beginning of the competitive season.

The tournament is held at Reservoir High School, it is both an in person and satellite competition.

The invitation has both Division B (middle school) and Division C (high school) teams, and uses the standard Science Olympiad rule sets.

2026 Season Results (In-Person)

Div. B Results

Burleigh Manor Middle School A (Ellicott City, MD) – 1st place, 44 points (champion)
Clarksville Middle School D (Clarksville, MD) – 2nd place, 80 points
Clarksville Middle School B (Clarksville, MD) – 3rd place, 86 points
Burleigh Manor Middle School B (Ellicott City, MD) – 4th place, 90 points

Clarksville Middle School A (Clarksville, MD) – 5th place, 92 points

Div C. Results

River Hill High School (Clarksville, MD) – 1st place, 46 points
Reservoir High School C (Fulton, MD) – 2nd place, 83 points
Reservoir High School B (Fulton, MD) – 3rd place, 103 points
Walter Johnson High School B (Bethesda, MD) – 4th place, 105 points
Reservoir High School A (Fulton, MD) – 5th place, 106 points

Richard Montgomery High School C (Rockville, MD) – 6th place, 114 points

2025 Season Results (Satellite)

Div C. Results

Beaverton Academy of Science and Engineering Base Stem Stars (Hillsboro, OR) — 1st place, 113 points

Damascus High School (Damascus, MD) — 2nd place, 124 points
Richard Montgomery High School Gold (Rockville, MD) — 3rd place, 129 points
Beaverton Academy of Science and Engineering BSCOT2 (Hillsboro, OR) — 4th place, 139 points

Richard Montgomery High School Rockets (Rockville, MD) — 5th place, 152 points