The school’s Academic Team, students who compete in quiz bowl-like tournaments, started in the San Diego region more than a decade ago, whether engaging in competitions or working the snack bar for home football games. With a 6-0 record, the varsity team is entering the postseason with the title of Coastal Division Champions for the seventh time.
Within the team, students compete in trivia-based knowledge bowl matches against other schools in the coastal division of the North County Academic League. Competitions follow a “Jeopardy!” style approach.
“There are five kids on a team,” Jonathan Tator, Academic Team coach, Wood Tech teacher and Computer-Aided Drafting and Fabrication teacher, said. “The moderator, like Alex Trebek, will read the question, and whichever team hits the buzzer first gets a chance at answering.”
Questions cover topics from science and math to mythology and geography. Players prepare for all types by studying, starting with learning the fundamentals of most subjects.
“They need to learn the basics,” Tator said. “They learn the state capitals, world capitals and the oceans.”
Students prepare by studying and running mock-tournaments, learning from past competitions to improve their skills.
“When there are questions on topics we are not familiar with, in practice, we divide up categories and study them,” Alex Chen (10), who began his second year on the team as a junior varsity player before moving up to the varsity team for finals, said.
Once team members are equipped with basic knowledge, they are typically assigned to specific topics.
“There’s always a math person who knows the math already,” Tator said. “Some kids are naturally literature [people].”
Angie Sun (11), who has been on the team for three years, said winning against their rival was a major achievement..
“A highlight was definitely beating Canyon Crest Academy,” Sun said. “It is the first time in a while for the varsity team.”
Beyond hours of practice, the team’s success also relies on their social dynamic outside of school.
“This year I feel like we are very united as a team,” Sun said. “We are all very close. We spend time with each other outside of school.”
This close-knit bond allowed the team to work together during matches.
“I think it really helped us know how to collaborate on bonus questions, trust each other and know people’s specialties,” Sun said.
For the first time, the varsity and freshman teams were originally all female.
“With a lot of the teams from other schools its very male, usually over half of the team … but we are happy to represent,” Sun said.
A major hardship this season was when Jessica Huntsberger, varsity coach, leader of the program and French one, two, three and Advanced Placement teacher, got injured and could not coach the season to its finale.
“It is hard to work when our teacher is not here,” Sun said. “But we are still working hard and hoping she recovers.”
In addition to bringing home titles, students are gaining lifelong memories and knowledge.
“I just think it is super fun,” Chen said. “Just testing your knowledge and learning new things.”
Throughout the season, Tator learnt new things alongside his students and watched team members grow.
“It is inspiring to see what they know, whether from their own learning or from stuff they learn in class,” Tator said. “It is cool to go see a match and see how good they are.”
