Quiz bowl took its six-win versus six-loss record to the Jan. 25 meet at Roseville Area High School. The Spartans’ A team, on the edge of qualifying for the playoffs, lost their first round by 10 points to Hill Murray’s B team but bounced back with wins in rounds two and three.

Quiz bowl members need to answer questions on topics of general knowledge, including but not limited to literature, history, science, math, social sciences, fine arts, geography, religion, mythology, and philosophy.

With wide-ranging questions, a good quiz bowl team must possess diverse knowledge bases. “It’s hard to do it with just STEM people, but we’re trying our best,” senior Bridget Keel said.

The team’s experience plays a crucial role in balancing their concentration on STEM subjects. Keel emphasized the transitions the team has undergone. “I’ve been on the team since freshman year ever since our history and literature people left,” she reflected.

Now a mentor to newer members like sophomore Lucille Brooks, Keel provides leadership to maintain the team’s competitive edge. “I’ve been doing quiz bowl for a month,” said Brooks, commenting on her time on the team.

This new hobby has been a lot of fun for her, and she enjoys learning new things as well as spending time with the group during tournaments. “I like that sense of happiness after getting a question right or just being silly about answers that are presented when they’re wrong,” Brooks said.

Their goal is to “try their best and have fun,” Keel said.

The team’s next tournament is Feb. 24 at Burnsville High School.