Jets compete in National Academic Quiz tourney

MADISON – The Quiz Bowl Team from James Clemens High School proved themselves worthy to play on a national stage.

James Clemens won the 2018 state championship held in Huntsville in May. This summer, the Jets advanced to national competition. The Jets represented Madison with about 350 contestant teams at the High School National Championship Tournament, sponsored by National Academic Quiz Tournaments at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Atlanta.

Quiz Bowl involves teams of four students in a competitive, academic and interscholastic activity. A team buzzes in to answer questions about science, math, history, literature, mythology, geography, social science, current events, sports and pop culture.

Matches in the tournament blend individual competition and team collaboration, because one student is not likely to have expert knowledge in all subject areas.

James Clemens attended the national championship tournament in 2017, advanced to the playoffs and finished in 25th place. This year, the Jets ranked in 32nd place with a 9–5 win/loss showing among 352 teams.

Sharath Narayan served as team captain and club president. Team members were Souren Athuri, Abdallah Belhadj, Ethan Blanton, Christian Burks and Dylan Kridner. Tiffany Hamilton coached the Jets Quiz Bowl Team.

As a sophomore, Narayan won $100,000 as champion of the “Jeopardy!” Teen Tournament. He is valedictorian for the Class of 2018 at James Clemens.

Founded in 1996, National Academic Quiz Tournaments organizes respected quiz bowl championships for students in middle school, high school and college in North America. The organization provides questions to invitational tournaments, league championships and television shows throughout the year. Organization members mentor coaches, host tournaments and share their expertise across the United States.