“With a lot of kids, academics is stressful,” said Shane Allison, quiz team coach of three years. “This just sort of serves as a counterbalance to that. I want these kids to have fun.”
They’re having fun, and recently finished the regular season 9-9. Allison said in the past the team was lucky to win five matches.
“We’ve beaten teams we haven’t even sniffed before,” said Allison, a nurse at Rosa Parks Elementary. “When we beat Mason there was a palpable silence in the room. They’re like, ‘I think we just lost to Middletown.’ And we’re like, ‘I think we just beat Mason.’”
There are three parts to each match: a categories round, alphabet round — in which all answers begin with a certain letter — and lightning round. Questions range from history to math to pop culture.
There are 16 members on Middletown’s team. During a match, lineups often fluctuate so team members with certain strengths are answering questions in their wheelhouse.
Allison said athletes — there are a handful on the team — are often subbed in for pop-culture questions.
“They’re more mainstream kids,” Allison said. “They’ll know Lady Gaga wears a meat dress.”
Senior Alan Hernandez is one of three who plays every match of every round. When asked about a college destination, he said he’s undecided. He’s having a hard time choosing between Brown, MIT and Princeton.
“I love geography,” Hernandez said. “There are just things that interest me and are part of me that I want to look into more.”
Senior Kadie Henry is the team’s math expert.
“I like solving systems and equations,” she said with a slightly embarrassed smile. “It’s like breaking apart a puzzle and putting it back together.”
Grinning, Allison said contrary to popular belief the quiz team is considered a varsity sport. Team members can letter and results go into the Greater Miami Conference’s all-sports standings.
“Needless to say, (Athletic Director) Gary Lebo is excited when we do better,” Allison said.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or asedlak@coxohio.com.
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