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Academic team wins US tourney
By Denise Dick
By DENISE DICK
NORTH LIMA
Photo
The South Range High School Varsity Academic Challenge Team won the national championship in the small-schools division of the National Academic Quiz Tournament during Memorial Day weekend. Adviser Bonnie Molnar, from left, poses with team members Brian Bishop, John Sheffler, Jarret Greene, Nathan Lotze and Kyle Dickey.
Do you know the type of reactions that decompose hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen?
Can you name the painting showing two people standing in a darkened entryway among tiers of seats in an auditorium of what is now Thomas Jefferson University?
Members of the South Range High School Varsity Academic Challenge Team know the answers to both questions. These are just examples of the types of questions the five team members answered over the Memorial Day weekend to become national champions in the small-schools division at the National Academic Quiz Tournament. (The answers are disproportionation and “The Gross Clinic,” respectively.)
Team captain Jarret Greene and members John Sheffler and Kyle Dickey, all 18, who have all just graduated, and juniors Brian Bishop and Nathan Lotze, both 17, studied and practiced both after school as a team and individually.
“The questions are incredibly difficult,” said Bonnie Molnar, a teacher at the high school and the team’s adviser.
The South Range team faced off against other teams throughout the state to earn the berth at the nationals. Jarret said they played in 10 games Saturday and another five Sunday.
The team earned 140 more points than its nearest opponent to take the national championship title. South Range also finished 47th among all schools competing.
Jarret estimated that he studied between five and seven hours per day in the weeks leading up to the national competition. He lists history, literature, philosophy and art among his specialities.
“Everything but chemistry and math,” Jarretsaid.
That’s where Nathan comes in. Math and chemistry are subject areas where he excels. Nathan estimated he spent about two hours per day outside school studying for the competition.
For Brian, it was about an hour per day, while Kyle and John spent about one hour per day.
John read a lot of classic literature as part of his prep work.
The questions can come from anywhere, so the students read books, heard presentations from teachers and conducted various research to prepare for the competition.
Jarret pointed to a milk crate full of old quiz questions that he used in his preparation.
The experience has him considering trying out for the “Jeopardy!” game show.
Nathan and Brian plan to continue with the team next year.
“We’re going to the middle school to try to scout new members,” Nathan said.
Molnar started as the team adviser about 14 years ago but says this year’s team was exceptional.
“I’ve never had a team that was willing to work before,” she said.
Some other teams were willing to work after school but didn’t want to devote the time individually.
“This year they could see what you could do when you’re willing to work,” the adviser said.