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Neighbors l Jessica Harker.Poland teacher Scott Suchora read questions to Boardman and Poland Quiz Bowl team members on Jan. 16.
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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.
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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
The Boardman and Poland Quiz Bowl teams went head to head on Jan. 16 at Poland Seminary High School.
Boardman junior varsity and varsity teams came out victorious, with varsity winning round one, 535-215, and round two, 440-175.
Junior varsity also won round one, scoring 365-70, and round two, 160-50.
“The students put in a great deal of time and commitment; beyond our weekly practices, they practice in the summer, they practice online, they read extensively on a variety of subjects, and a few players have even attended ‘Quiz Bowl Camp’ in the summer,” said Boardman Quiz Bowl Advisor Randy Nord.
Nord said Boardman has about 15 players, composing the junior varsity and varsity teams.
Four players compete in each tournament.
Members try out for the Boardman Quiz Bowl team in October, and then practice after that until the end of February, with varsity players continuing through May to prepare for State and National tournaments.
“Boardman joined the League in 2005,” Nord said. “Prior to that, the team had existed but only participated in the county tournament, winning in 2000 and 2001.”
During tournaments students review a variety of question topics according to Nord, including mythology, geography, literature, science, astronomy, music, mathematics and art history.
“The players organized their own practices throughout the summer; they are extremely dedicated,” Nord said. “On Sunday nights, they practice online.”
Boardman student members compete in local tournaments throughout January and February, but also enter tournaments outside the local league that they travel to.
“We have traveled to tournaments at Case Western Reserve, Brookfield High School, Solon High School and we’re traveling to Cloverleaf,” Nord said.
She said that the Mahoning County Quiz Bowl League culminates in a tournament at Youngstown State University annually, which will take place on Feb. 23 this year.
“For the past two years, we have qualified and attended the State Tournament in Columbus, and the National Quiz Bowl Tournament in Atlanta,” Nord said.
She said the team has also hosted a tournament at Boardman High School starting last year, which is scheduled for March 16.
“Students are very dedicated, they enjoy what they do and they work hard at it,” Nord said.