Jets Scholars Bowl Team first in Alabama

MADISON – The Scholars Bowl Team from James Clemens High School ranked as the top group for Alabama in the National Academic Quiz Tournament.

The Jets ranked 25th among 304 teams from across the United States and Canada and finished with a 9-5 overall record by accumulating 4020 points. The contest was held in Atlanta on May 26-28.

Scholars Bowl Team members at James Clemens are Souren Athuri, Ethan Blanton, Sharath Narayan, Nick Southern and Daniel Vogler. Science teacher Tiffany Hamilton coaches the Scholars Bowl group.

In other honors, senior Sharath Narayan earned a spot on the All World team by ranking 30th in the individual competition. Narayan is the first student from Alabama to qualify for the All World team. He has served as captain of the Jets Scholars Bowl Team and is a member of National Honor Society, Math Team and Interact Club.

In 2016, Narayan won $100,000 as champion of the “Jeopardy!” Teen Tournament. He has watched “Jeopardy!” since he was very young. “Being on the show had been a dream of mine. My family and I watch “Jeopardy!” almost every day if we can,” he said.

Initially, he completed the “Jeopardy!” online test to appear on the show but was not called back for an audition. Luckily, he applied again, passed the test and aced an audition; producers selected him for the show.

National Academic Quiz Tournaments organize outstanding championships for students in middle school, high school and college in North America. Former players and coaches from across the United States founded the organization in 1996.

At the high-school level, the competitive quiz bowl combines academic and interscholastic activity. Players attend scheduled practices and then represent their school at varsity tournaments. Quiz bowl questions cover the gamut of high school curriculum, including subjects from current events, sports and popular culture.

A typical match blends individual competition and team collaboration, because an individual player is not likely to be an expert in all subject areas. Quiz bowl can reinforce classroom lessons and encourages players to go beyond their assignments to master other areas.

For more information, visit naqt.com.