Until yesterday, Mount Pleasant High School had not hosted a single Quiz Bowl competition since Nov. 21, 2019. When the Knights’ team finally returned to show off their skills, though, they seemed as ready as ever.

     Norwin’s JV team went 3-0 at the competition, beating Penn Trafford, Latrobe and Connellsville by scores of 21-12, 24-14 and 22-15, respectively. The varsity team had some trouble at the start, losing 32-12 to Penn Trafford, but they picked it up in the second half of the day, winning 26-13 against Latrobe and 23-10 versus Connellsville. Despite the solitary loss, the Knights are proud of their performance. 

     “I feel that the team did well yesterday,” said club president Brady Johnson. “We have a wide variety of subject knowledge between our whole team and we are able to cover each other’s strengths and weaknesses well.”

     Johnson, 11, has somewhat of a leg up on the rest of his competition. Despite the fact that no regional matches were held last year, he received some valuable experience through Hometown High Q, a similar event that featured teams from all over Western Pennsylvania. Johnson is the only returner from last year’s three-person squad, as Lily Jarosz and Lydia Berger both graduated in 2021.

     “It was a confidence builder,” said Johnson. “Going on one of the highest stages of Quiz Bowl in Pittsburgh… it really helped me just go for the answer if I thought I knew it.”

     Other key contributors from the team included juniors Jack Chaney and Nicholas Cormas, both newcomers to Quiz Bowl. Despite their limited experience, they were still able to provide much-needed support for the team, with Cormas answering seven questions and Chaney answering six.

     Next up for the Quiz Bowl team is a second match at Mount Pleasant on Oct. 21, 2021, where the Knights will hope to continue their stellar play. Until then, all they can do is prepare.

     “I think the team will perform well later in the season,” said Johnson. “All of us here have the ability and the knowledge to do what it takes when it counts.”