Teams from Baltimore County elementary schools led the statewide Black Saga competition held last weekend at Towson University — winning six of the top 10 rankings. The academic competition challenges students to answer more than 800 questions about black history.

Rodgers Forge Elementary School in Towson placed first, followed in second-place by Warren Elementary in Cockeysville, third-place by Westchester Elementary in Catonsville and a fourth-place squad from Cromwell Valley Elementary in Towson.

In the middle school division, Sudbrook Magnet in Pikesville placed third, followed in fourth-place by a team from Franklin in Reisterstown, said to a news release from Baltimore County Public School System.

Initiated by Charles Christian, author of “Black Saga: The African American Experience” and distinguished professor at Coppin State University, the Black Saga competition begins each fall with students competing against teams within their schools and counties, then moving up to the statewide finals. At the finals, the top five teams at the elementary and middle school levels win trophies, and students on the top three teams at each level receive cash prizes from $100 to $300 per student.