Two Quiz Bowl teams place ninth, qualify for national tournament

Member of the Quiz bowl team pose with their trophies at the Rosemount Annual Thumb-Racing Academic Competition Event after qualifying for nationals. Left to right: freshman Peter Blanchfield, sophomore Jack Indritz, freshman Jack Hermann, sophomores Ewan Lang, Cole Thompson, and Phoebe Pannier, junior Netta Kaplan, and sophomore Cole Staples (on ground).

SUBMITTED: Andrea Bailey

Member of the Quiz bowl team pose with their trophies at the Rosemount Annual Thumb-Racing Academic Competition Event after qualifying for nationals. Left to right: freshman Peter Blanchfield, sophomore Jack Indritz, freshman Jack Hermann, sophomores Ewan Lang, Cole Thompson, and Phoebe Pannier, junior Netta Kaplan, and sophomore Cole Staples (on ground).

Javier Whitaker-Castañeda, Cover Story Editor
December 15, 2014

Which student group qualified two teams for nationals in the 2014-15 season by competing in a tournament in Rosemount? Answer: Quiz Bowl.

This year both Quiz Bowl teams qualified for national competition by securing a top place at a local tournament.

“We tied for ninth out of 72 teams to make nationals,” sophomore Jack Indritz said.

By earning this ninth place finish in the RATRACE or Rosemount Annual Thumb-Racing Academic Competition, teams A and B now have a chance to go to nationals along with the teams that qualified above them. Though both teams qualified they are still raising the funds needed to attend the national tournament.

This success is still a significant achievement for the team because, though they did qualify for nationals last year, they did it much later in the year through regular season matches.

“The team pulled it together with good competitive drive and a strong knowledge base. We had very enthusiastic players that I was glad to have on team. Quiz Bowl could have a good future ahead of it,” sophomore Cole Staples said.

With such a strong team of young players Quiz Bowl could replicate the recent success it has had in future years. Most of the Quiz Bowl team is sophomores and there are no seniors so the team will be looking to have a strong season again next season.