Submitted by Shannon Regan
The Warren Middle School Academic Tournament Team was named the winner of the 11th Annual Junior National Academic Championship in Washington, DC on Sunday, June 3, 2018. The tournament, sponsored by Questions Unlimited, focused on academic information – “significa” rather than “trivia.” The emphasis of this tournament was light on popular trivia and heavy on academic relevance. The Warren team qualified for this national tournament by winning the Questions Unlimited “Quiz Net”, which was an 8-week online bowl where schools all around the United States played against each other through a live format over the Internet.
The Junior National Academic Championship consisted of 25 middle school teams (grades 7, 8, 9) from all over the United States. The Warren team competed against schools from Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Ohio and Arkansas in the six preliminary rounds. At the end of the preliminaries, Warren earned a record of 4 wins and 2 losses, making them the 10th seed going into the playoffs. Warren won three playoff games against teams from Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, Wooster, Ohio and Webster, New York before advancing to the finals against number one seed, Aspen Creek Middle School from Omaha, Nebraska.
Warren defeated Aspen Creek Middle School in the championship round with a score differential of over 100 points, making them the winners of the 11th Annual Junior National Academic Championship. The Warren team, made up of four 8th graders and one 7th grader, was one of the youngest teams to win a championship. Most teams bring 9thgraders to this event, but this year Warren did not.
Congratulations to 8th graders, James Young, Andrew McAusland, Ariha Mehta, Andy Shi and 7th grader, Shaan Lehal. James Young was awarded the tournament MVP award and is recognized for his composed demeanor as the team’s captain. Overall, this team accomplishment is due to excellent strategy, determination, academic excellence, outstanding sportsmanship, and a positive attitude.
Dr. Susan Cooper, the team’s coach, states, “Our team dug in and fought their way through every game, keeping their play in the moment. They learned many valuable life lessons throughout this tournament such as listening to one another, working together, and how to lose (and win) with grace. The team learned that they needed to apply more than knowledge to be successful in this tournament. They needed to bring their very best to each match and to care about each other.”
Warren participated in 9 out of the 11 Washington DC tournaments. This is their second national win, previously winning in 2015.
(above, l-r) Shaan Lehal (grade 7), Ariha Mehta (grade 8), James Young (grade 8) and MVP of the tournament), Andrew McAusland (grade 8) and Andy Shi (not pictured, grade 8).
Photo by Warren Township Schools.
