Congratulations to the Oxford Varsity Quiz Bowl Team for making it to the State Quiz Bowl competition at Michigan State University April 18-19.
Out of the 23 teams that competed, Oxford made it to the fourth round before being sent home. Detroit Catholic Central became the overall state champs.
Team members included seniors Mike Burnett, Joe Caporale, Ben Cole, Matt Deighton, Adam Heskitt, Victoria Husic, Samantha Kraska, Jake Smuda, Andrew Stein and Andy Ver Steeg.
The team also raised their Knowledge Master Open score by 200 points from last year, for a total of 1,376 making them 8th in the state. Knowledge Master Open is a national competition done on the computer.
During the winter season, the team tied for first place in the Metro League.
They took First Place overall during the league meet, which earned them a spot at the WFUM (Channel 28) quarter-finals for the television show ‘High School Challenge.? The show will air on May 19 at 5:30 p.m.
Quiz Bowl coach Brian Agar has been spearheading the Oxford team for the last 24 years.
He said Quiz Bowl benefits students educationally because it constantly reviews what students are learning. ‘New knowledge is gained by hearing in a different setting than the classroom,? he said.
Agar noted that the team was very competitive but also thoroughly enjoyed the team camaraderie. ‘Overall, this is one of the best Oxford teams I have coached,? he said.
Quiz Bowl will start practice this fall for the Genesee Academic League with the Metro League to follow next winter.
New members are always welcome on both the varsity and junior varsity teams.
Contact Brian Agar via e-mail at agarb01@oxford.k12.mi.us if you’re interested.