43
Photo
Neighbors l Jessica Harker.Poland teacher Scott Suchora read questions to Boardman and Poland Quiz Bowl team members on Jan. 16.
Photo
Neighbors l Jessica Harker .Members of the Boardman Quiz Bowl team contemplated a question posed by Poland teacher and coach Scott Suchora on Jan. 16.
Photo
Neighbors l Jessica Harker.Members of the Poland Quiz Bowl team competed against Boardman students on Jan. 16 at Poland Seminary High School.
By JESSICA HARKER
jharker@vindy.com
Poland and Boardman Quiz Bowl teams faced off on Jan. 16 at Poland Seminary High School.
Students at both Poland practice on a weekly basis for the tournaments, which take place every Wednesday.
“Practice is similar to Jeopardy, we have questions from previous matches and buzzers,” said Coach Scott Suchora. “We laugh as much as possible.”
Students’ official practice is a few hours per week according to Suchora, who explained that student commitment is much more than that.
“In truth, kids are on the NAQT website and YouTube studying all the time,” Suchora said.
He said that the Poland team has been involved in academic challenge since the 1980s.
Poland’s team fluctuates between nine and thirteen students, he said, depending on the students additional commitments.
Suchora said that the tournaments run throughout January and February, but students prepare for them way in advance.
“Poland plays about five matches a year,” Suchora said. “This year we are away twice: South Range and Champion, then we will participate in the league tournament at YSU.”
The Mahoning County League culminates annually at a tournament at Youngstown State University, which will take place on Feb. 23 this year.
Suchora said that the Poland team places second in the division last year.
Poland lost to the Boardman team, with the junior varsity scoring 70-365 in round one and 50-160 in the second round. The varsity team also lost to Boardman, scoring 215-535 in round one and 175-440 in the second round.
For more information the Poland Quiz bowl team, go to www.polandbulldogs.com.