Difference between revisions of "Ohio Academic Competition"

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The '''Ohio Academic Competition (OAC)''' is the format that is used in most Ohio High School quizbowl tournaments.  It is the most common format in the state, second to NAQT and television-show formats.  Every year, the OAC Committee hosts two tournaments at the end of the season, the Regional Tournaments that are hosted at 6 sites across the state and the State Championship Tournament.  The winner of the State Championship Tournament was Ohio's representative to the [[PAC]].  
+
The '''Ohio Academic Competition (OAC)''' is the format that is used in most Ohio High School quizbowl tournaments.  It is the most common format in the state, second to NAQT and television-show formats.  Every year, the OAC Committee hosts two tournaments at the end of the season, the Regional Tournaments that are hosted at 6 sites across the state and the State Championship Tournament.  The format is most beloved for its permission of conferral before, during, and after the question, as well as directed team questions with an Alphabet Round (worksheet) as the middle portion of the match.
  
 
== Format ==
 
== Format ==
−
Like most formats, two teams compete in a match.  The rules state that the sides are chosen by a coin flip, although more recently moderators simply used the side the team picks to be "Team A" and "Team B".  Therefore, the team that sits to the moderator's left will generally be "Team A" and the team on the moderator's right will be "Team B".
+
Like most formats, two teams compete in a match.  The rules state that the sides are chosen by a coin flip, although more recently moderators simply used the side the team picks to be "Team A" and "Team B".  Therefore, the team that sits to the moderator's left will generally be "Team A" and the team on the moderator's right will be "Team B". If both teams have a particular preference as to whether they are Team 'A' or Team 'B', it is common practice for the decision to be determined via coin flip with the team who has traveled the greater distance to the match site being assigned to call 'heads' or 'tails' in the air.  
  
 
While some tournaments may slightly deviate from the official rules, there are generally three parts to an OAC match.  They are the category round, the alphabet round, and the lightning round.  Teams are permitted to substitute between rounds.
 
While some tournaments may slightly deviate from the official rules, there are generally three parts to an OAC match.  They are the category round, the alphabet round, and the lightning round.  Teams are permitted to substitute between rounds.
  
 
=== Category Round ===
 
=== Category Round ===
−
In this round, teams are asked questions in ten categories.  They are (in order) American Literature, Mathematics, World History, Fine Arts, Life Science, English/World Literature, U.S. Government, Physical Science, World Geography, and U.S. History.  This is also the only time that the coach may call a one-minute timeout, and no substitutions are permitted during timeouts.
+
In this round, teams are asked questions in ten categories.  They are (in order) American Literature, Mathematics, World History, Fine Arts, Life Science, English/World Literature, U.S. Government/Economics, Physical Science, World Geography, and U.S. History.   
  
−
In each category, the two teams will each receive their own team question.  In American Literature, Team A is the first team to receive their question.  They will have two opportunities to answer their question within ten seconds.  Teams do not need to buzz for this part.  If their first response is correct, the team will earn two (2) points.  If their second response is correct, they will earn one (1) points  If, however, neither of their responses is correct or their ten seconds run out, the opposing team will get an opportunity to "steal" the question for one (1) point.  The same process is then reversed, with Team B receiving the first two opportunities to answer the question. After both sides are complete, a toss-up question is read to both teams, and teams only get one opportunity each to answer.  A correct answer is worth two (2) points.
+
In each category, the two teams will each receive their own team question.  In American Literature, Team A is the first team to receive their question.  They will have two opportunities to answer their question within ten seconds.  Teams do not need to buzz for this part.  If their first response is correct, the team will earn two (2) points.  If their second response is correct, they will earn one (1) points  If, however, neither of their responses is correct or their ten seconds run out, the opposing team will get an opportunity to "steal" the question for one (1) point.  The same process is then reversed, with Team B receiving the first two opportunities to answer the question. If the team that is directed to answer the original team question answers incorrectly twice before the ten seconds, runs out the opposing team is awarded the balance of the time remaining (on the timer's countdown to 0 seconds) to answer. After both sides are complete, a pyramidal toss-up question is read to both teams, and teams only get one opportunity each to answer.  A correct answer is worth two (2) points.
  
 
In the next category (Mathematics), the order the teams hear the questions are reversed.  Team B will get the first math question, and then Team A will get the second question.  The third is still a tossup for both teams.  This process is repeated throughout all ten categories.
 
In the next category (Mathematics), the order the teams hear the questions are reversed.  Team B will get the first math question, and then Team A will get the second question.  The third is still a tossup for both teams.  This process is repeated throughout all ten categories.
  
 
=== Alphabet Round ===
 
=== Alphabet Round ===
−
After the category round is complete, teams (after substitution) will receive two sheets of questions, and one "official" answer sheet (aka a blank sheet of paper) to write down their answers to the questions.  Both teams receive the exact same set of questions, and all of the answers will begin with the same letter.  Usually the letter will either be announced or printed at the top of the question sheet. Teams will have four minutes to answer all questions, with each answer being worth one (1) point.
+
After the category round is complete, teams (after substitution) will receive two printed copies of the question sheet, and one "official" answer sheet (aka a blank sheet of paper) to write down their answers to the questions.  Both teams receive the exact same set of questions, and all of the answers will begin with the same letter.  Usually the letter will either be announced or printed at the top of the question sheet. Teams are to keep the question sheets face down, but are allowed to distribute the copies (face-down) until directed to flip the sheets over and begin the round. Teams will have four minutes to answer all questions, with each answer being worth two (2) points.
  
−
If a team correctly answers all twenty questions in the Alphabet Round, they will receive a five (5) point bonus added to their score.
+
=== Final Round ===
 +
The third and final part of the match is called the Final Round.  In the final round, twenty questions are read to both teams and each correct answer is worth two points each.  The questions in the final round are pyramidal and resemble a house-written tossup/bonus set in quality and length.  The questions come from the categories listed above, as well as Mythology, Religion, Philosophy, and Social Science. Some local formats also include an additional 10 tossup theme round at the end of these 20. Unlike the regionals-states set, as well as well-reputed regular season Saturday events that are OAC formatted, these productions are generally non-pyramidal and do not follow a distribution. These lesser-utilized suppliers, unusual quirks within the formatting and rules have widely been eschewed when the OAC began promoting and pursuing "good quizbowl" practices in the early 2010's.
  
−
=== Lightning Round ===
+
== OAC Committee ==
−
The third and final part of the match is called the Lightning Round. In the lightning round, twenty questions are read to both teams and each correct answer is worth one point each.  Generally, these are simple, one or two-line questions that go by quickly, therefore the "lightning".  The questions come from the categories listed above, as well as Mythology, Spelling, Pop Culture, World Religion, World Literature, Philosophy, Earth and Space Science, Quotations, and Theater.
+
As of June 2024, the OAC Committee has fifteen voting members. There can be up to twenty voting members on the Committee at a given time. As constituted, the breakdown of Committee spots is as follows: two fixed spots for each of the six regions, At-Large spots (the number of which must equal the number of sponsored regions, but it is not required that each region have representation in the At-Large ranks), a College Representative and a representative for the Middle School programs.  
  
−
== OAC Committee ==
+
Prospective Committee members must apply to the OAC, from which their applications are fielded and nominations occur within Executive Session. If a nominee is approved, and accepts their invitation to join the Committee, their membership is guaranteed for life provided that they regularly participate with the functions of the Committee. The Committee has the power to change any of the rules to the OAC format, and it also is responsible for the approval and replacement of each registered school into sites for the Regional Tournaments.  The members are:
−
Currently, the OAC Committee has ten members, with representation from each region of the state. The Committee has the power to change any of the rules to the OAC format and also approves and places each school into sites for the Regional Tournaments.  The members are (in no particular order):
 
  
 
{| border="1" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="3"  
 
{| border="1" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="3"  
Line 30: Line 30:
 
|'''Region'''
 
|'''Region'''
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Joe Bellas]]
+
|[[Bing Bingham]]
−
|[[Tippecanoe|Tippecanoe High School]]
+
|None
−
|West Central
+
|Executive Director
−
|-
 
−
|[[Cameron Flint]]
 
−
|[[Cloverleaf|Cloverleaf High School]]
 
−
|Northeast
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Rich Gregor]]
+
|[[Bob Kilner]]
−
|None - Retired Educator
+
|[[Eastlake North|Eastlake North High School]]
−
|East Central
+
|North Coast
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Scott K. Grunder]]
+
|[[Peter Bergman]]
−
|[[Walnut Hills]]
+
|[[Solon|Solon High School]]
−
|Southwest
+
|North Coast
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Sue Korosa]]
+
|[[Joshua Eck]]
 
|[[Copley|Copley High School]]
 
|[[Copley|Copley High School]]
 
|Northeast
 
|Northeast
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Daryl Michael]]
+
|Vacant
−
|[[Preble County Schools]]
+
|Vacant
−
|West Central
+
|Northeast
 
|-
 
|-
−
|'''[[Cathy Mullins]]'''
+
|Vacant
−
|'''[[Shawnee State University]]'''
+
|Vacant
−
|'''Executive Director'''
+
|Northwest
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Brian Saxton]]
+
|Vacant
−
|[[Ohio State|The Ohio State University]]
+
|Vacant
−
|At-Large
+
|Northwest
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Lynn Stevenson]]
 
|[[Lynn Stevenson]]
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|Southeast
 
|Southeast
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Ed Sunderhaus]]
+
|[[Mike Sedlack]]
−
|[[Cincinnati State University]]
+
|[[Fisher Catholic|Fisher Catholic High School]]
 +
|Southeast
 +
|-
 +
|[[Brian Meeron]]
 +
|[[Walnut Hills|Walnut Hills High School]]
 +
|Southwest
 +
|-
 +
|[[Ron Maupin]]
 +
|[[Little Miami|Little Miami High School]]
 
|Southwest
 
|Southwest
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[David Jones]]
+
|[[Tommy Segi]]
−
|[[Northmont|Northmont High School]]
+
|[[Springboro|Springboro High School]]
 +
|West Central
 +
|-
 +
|Vacant
 +
|Vacant
 
|West Central
 
|West Central
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Rhonna Smith]]
+
|[[Simon Zimmerman]]
−
|[[Olmsted Falls|Olmsted Falls High School]]
+
|[[Ohio State|The Ohio State University]]
−
|Northeast
+
|College Representative
−
|}
 
−
 
 
−
== Regional Tournaments ==
 
−
Currently, tournaments are held at six different regions throughout the state.  This was an expansion from the early 2000s when there were only four regions.  There is also rumor, with record turnout last year (93 out of a possible 96) that the Committee may consider adding two more regions.  The regions discussed would be a Central Ohio region as well as a Coastal (Lake Erie) region.
 
−
 
 
−
Each regional tournament holds a maximum of 16 teams.  These teams will all face-off in a double-elimination tournament, where the first and second place teams will be sent to the State Tournament in Columbus.  To qualify for a regional tournament, a team must win a tournament (or a division of one) with at minimum 8 schools competing.  This is the reason why most tournaments in Ohio are divided into brackets of 8 teams.  The winner must be specifically identified.  If there is a tie for first, somehow only one winner must be determined.  Note that Ohio teams that win tournaments in other states are not eligible, unless they win a tournament in Ohio.
 
−
 
 
−
For the 2010-2011 season, the Regional Tournaments were  held at the following sites:
 
−
 
 
−
{| border="1" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="3"
 
−
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
 
−
|'''Region'''
 
−
|'''Site'''
 
−
|'''Presumed TD'''
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Northwest
+
|[[Tyler Benedict]]
−
|[[Bowling Green State University]] - Bowling Green, OH
+
|[[Miami Valley|Miami Valley School]]
−
|[[Brian Saxton]]
+
|Middle School Representative
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Northeast
 
−
|[[Cloverleaf High School]] - Lodi, OH
 
 
|[[Sue Korosa]]
 
|[[Sue Korosa]]
 +
|[[Copley|Copley High School]]
 +
|At-Large
 
|-
 
|-
−
|East Central
+
|[[Missy Hardy]]
−
|[[Jefferson Community College]] - Steubenville, OH
+
|[[Indian Hill|Indian Hill High School]]
−
|[[Rich Gregor]]
+
|At-Large
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Southeast
+
|[[Joshua Queen]]
−
|[[Shawnee State University]] - Portsmouth, OH
+
|[[Chillicothe|Chillicothe High School]]
−
|[[Cathy Mullins]]
+
|At-Large
 +
|-
 +
|[[Thomas Moore]]
 +
|unaffiliated
 +
|At-Large
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Southwest
+
|[[David Jones]]
−
|[[Cincinnati State University]] - Cincinnati, OH
+
|[[Northmont|Northmont High School]]
−
|[[Ed Sunderhaus]]
+
|At-Large
 
|-
 
|-
−
|West Central
+
|Vacant
−
|[[Tippecanoe|Tippecanoe Middle School]] - Tippecanoe, OH
+
|Vacant
−
|[[Joe Bellas]]
+
|At-Large
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 +
== Regional Tournaments ==
 +
Currently, tournaments are held at six different regions throughout the state.  This was an expansion from the early 2000s when there were only four regions.  In May 2015, discussions emerged as to potential expansion of the regional tournament to two additional regions, for a total of eight. However, this did not materialize and, as of 2024, it is unlikely that regional expansion will be seriously considered at any time in the near future due to more pressing concerns relevant to the health and functioning of already existing regions.
 +
 +
When teams arrive, they will take a Seeding Quiz that consists of 50 questions on paper. The questions get harder as the numbers increase, and the teams will be seeded based on the highest number of correct answers. The tiebreaker is the highest number question that is correctly answered.
 +
 +
Each regional tournament, if the statewide sum of registered teams is 96 schools or less, holds a maximum of 16 teams. If, in years where the sum of qualified teams statewide is greater than 96, regions may accommodate more than 16 teams. These teams will all face-off in a double-elimination tournament, where the first and second place teams will be sent to the State Tournament in Columbus.  To qualify for a regional tournament, a team must win a tournament (or a division of a tournament) with at minimum six schools competing ''or'' qualify within the top 15% of either a tournament field writ large, or a constituent bracket of the tournament. The qualified team must be specifically identified by the competition organizer. Note that Ohio teams that win tournaments in other states can now automatically qualify for the OAC Regional tournament given that they meet the qualification requirements, such as winning a bracket comprising of six different schools.
  
 
== State Tournament ==
 
== State Tournament ==
−
Every year, the State Championship Tournament is held on the campus of Columbus State Community College.  As stated above, a team is eligible for the State Tournament if the finish in the first or second place at their respective regional site. Teams are drawn into two pools at the site, either a red bracket or a blue bracket. The team that finishes first at a regional draws a card to determine which bracket they are in, and then the second place team of that respective region will go into the opposite bracket.
+
The State Championship Tournament is generally held in Columbus, Ohio or at a suburban school adjacent. A team is eligible for the State Tournament if the finish in the first or second place at their respective regional site, or if they earn one of the at large bids. Starting in 2018, teams are seeded based on their statistics from regionals. Each team is ranked based on are their alphabet round average plus their average team category points multiplied by two. Those stats are also what is used to determine who gets the 4 wild card bids. Sixteen teams compete in each years state championship tournament.
  
−
A six-team round robin then takes place, with the top two teams from each region going into a single-elimination playoff. The champion of the red bracket will face the runner-up in the blue bracket, while the champion of the blue bracket will face the runner-up of the red bracket.  The two game winners then face-off for the State Championship.
+
The format of the tournament itself is a double elimination bracket. For teams that lose their second game in the same round, there is pool play to determine precise placement.
  
 
== Past Champions ==
 
== Past Champions ==
 
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1"
 
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1"
 
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
 
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
−
|'''Year (Teams)'''
+
|'''Year'''
 
|'''Champion'''
 
|'''Champion'''
 
|'''Region'''
 
|'''Region'''
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|'''Region'''
 
|'''Region'''
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2013 (89)
+
| 2023
 +
| [[Solon]]
 +
| NC
 +
| [[Northmont]]
 +
| WC
 +
|-
 +
| 2022
 +
| [[Solon]]
 +
| NC
 +
| [[Beavercreek]]
 +
| WC
 +
|-
 +
| 2021
 +
| [[Beavercreek]]
 +
| WC
 +
| [[Solon]]
 +
| NC
 +
|-
 +
|-
 +
| 2020
 +
| [[CANCELED]]
 +
| N/A
 +
| [[COVID-19]]
 +
| N/A
 +
|-
 +
| 2019
 +
| [[Beavercreek]]
 +
| WC
 +
| [[Miami Valley]]
 +
| WC
 +
|-
 +
| 2018
 +
| [[Beavercreek]]
 +
| WC
 +
| [[Miami Valley]]
 +
| WC
 +
|-
 +
| 2017
 +
| [[Beavercreek]]
 +
| WC
 +
| [[Fisher Catholic]]
 +
| SE
 +
|-
 +
| 2016
 +
| [[Solon]]
 +
| NC
 +
| [[Sidney]]
 +
| WC
 +
|-
 +
|2015
 +
|[[Northmont]]
 +
|WC
 +
|[[Sidney]]
 +
|WC
 +
|-
 +
|2014
 +
|[[Northmont]]
 +
|WC
 +
|[[Fisher Catholic]]
 +
|SE
 +
|-
 +
|2013  
 
|[[Northmont]]
 
|[[Northmont]]
 
|WC
 
|WC
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|NC
 
|NC
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2012 (96)
+
|2012  
 
|[[Olmsted Falls]]
 
|[[Olmsted Falls]]
 
|NC
 
|NC
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|WC
 
|WC
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2011 (96)
+
|2011  
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
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|WC
 
|WC
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2010 (95)
+
|2010  
 
|[[Solon]]
 
|[[Solon]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
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|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2009 (94)
+
|2009  
 
|[[Green]]
 
|[[Green]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
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|SW
 
|SW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2008 (93)
+
|2008  
 
|[[Garfield Heights]]
 
|[[Garfield Heights]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
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|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2007 (90)
+
|2007  
 
|[[Garfield Heights]]
 
|[[Garfield Heights]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
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|SE
 
|SE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2006 (90)
+
|2006  
 
|[[Fisher Catholic]]
 
|[[Fisher Catholic]]
 
|SE
 
|SE
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|SW
 
|SW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2005 (90)
+
|2005  
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
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|WC
 
|WC
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2004 (90)
+
|2004  
 
|[[Fisher Catholic]]
 
|[[Fisher Catholic]]
 
|SE
 
|SE
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|SW
 
|SW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2003 (81)
+
|2003  
 
|[[St. Charles]]
 
|[[St. Charles]]
 
|SE
 
|SE
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|SW
 
|SW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2002 (79)
+
|2002  
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
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|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2001 (86)
+
|2001  
 
|[[Beavercreek]]
 
|[[Beavercreek]]
 
|SW
 
|SW
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|SW
 
|SW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2000 (84)
+
|2000  
 
|[[Beavercreek]]
 
|[[Beavercreek]]
 
|SW
 
|SW
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|SE
 
|SE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1999 (81)
+
|1999  
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
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|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1998 (84)
+
|1998  
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
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|SW
 
|SW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1997 (83)
+
|1997  
 
|[[St. Xavier]]
 
|[[St. Xavier]]
 
|SW
 
|SW
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|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1996 (88)
+
|1996  
 
|[[Brecksville-Broadview Heights]]
 
|[[Brecksville-Broadview Heights]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
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|SW
 
|SW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1995 (88)
+
|1995  
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
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|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1994 (86)
+
|1994  
 
|[[Beavercreek]]
 
|[[Beavercreek]]
 
|SW
 
|SW
Line 251: Line 317:
 
|NW
 
|NW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1993 (81)
+
|1993  
 
|[[Elyria]]
 
|[[Elyria]]
 
|NW
 
|NW
Line 257: Line 323:
 
|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1992 (79)
+
|1992  
 
|[[Beachwood]]
 
|[[Beachwood]]
 
|NW
 
|NW
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|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1991 (78)
+
|1991  
 
|[[Wellington Academy]]
 
|[[Wellington Academy]]
 
|SE
 
|SE
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|NW
 
|NW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1990 (77)
+
|1990  
 
|[[Beavercreek]]
 
|[[Beavercreek]]
 
|SW
 
|SW
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|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1989 (76)
+
|1989  
 
|[[Gilmour Academy]]
 
|[[Gilmour Academy]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
Line 281: Line 347:
 
|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1988 (66)
+
|1988  
 
|[[Gilmour Academy]]
 
|[[Gilmour Academy]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
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|SE
 
|SE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1987 (48)
+
|1987  
 
|[[Norwalk]]
 
|[[Norwalk]]
 
|NW
 
|NW
Line 293: Line 359:
 
|SE
 
|SE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1986 (40)
+
|1986  
 
|[[Wheelersburg]]
 
|[[Wheelersburg]]
 
|SE
 
|SE
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|NW
 
|NW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1985 (20)
+
|1985  
 
|[[Wheelersburg]]
 
|[[Wheelersburg]]
 
|SE
 
|SE
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|}
 
|}
  
−
== Criticisms ==
+
== Historical Criticisms ==
−
Many could be listed here.  Anybody who edits the qbwiki can add their own.
 
−
 
 
 
* In the 2008 Regional Tournaments, many sites had different drawings of what the Double-Elimination brackets could look like, causing some teams to play different schedules than if they had been assigned to another region.  One region in particular (EC) had confusing brackets that some teams had troubles understanding.
 
* In the 2008 Regional Tournaments, many sites had different drawings of what the Double-Elimination brackets could look like, causing some teams to play different schedules than if they had been assigned to another region.  One region in particular (EC) had confusing brackets that some teams had troubles understanding.
  
−
* The random-draw method used to assign teams at the regional level is considered controversial, as is the random-draw used at states.  At states, the six regional champions draw red 1,2 or 3 or blue 1,2 or 3.  The regional runners-up from the same region are then place in the opposite brackets.  While this may seem fair, the fact that OAC format does not usually single out the best teams causes a draw as in 2007, where Fisher Catholic (NAQT-2nd), Tippecanoe (NAQT-1st), Copley (NAQT-3rd) and North Canton Hoover were all placed in the same half of the bracket, while Walnut Hills (generally considered the strongest NAQT team in Ohio) and Garfield Heights were in the other bracket.
+
* The random-draw method previously used to assign teams at the regional and state tournaments was considered controversial. Prior to it's removal, at states the six regional champions draw red 1,2 or 3 or blue 1,2 or 3.  The regional runners-up from the same region are then place in the opposite brackets.  While this may seem fair, the fact that OAC format does not usually single out the best teams causes a draw as in 2007, where Fisher Catholic (NAQT-2nd), Tippecanoe (NAQT-1st), Copley (NAQT-3rd) and North Canton Hoover were all placed in the same half of the bracket, while Walnut Hills (generally considered the strongest NAQT team in Ohio) and Garfield Heights were in the other bracket.
  
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== Criticisms ==
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== External Links ==
 
== External Links ==
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*[http://www.shawnee.edu/off/uos/ep/oac/index.html Ohio Academic Competition]
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* [https://sites.google.com/site/ohioacademiccompetition/home Ohio Academic Competition website]
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* [https://www.facebook.com/OACCommittee/?fref=ts OAC on Facebook]
  
 
[[Category:High school formats]]
 
[[Category:High school formats]]
 
[[Category:High school quizbowl in Ohio]]
 
[[Category:High school quizbowl in Ohio]]
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[[Category:Bad quizbowl]]
 
 
[[Category:Original QBWiki Page]]
 
[[Category:Original QBWiki Page]]
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[[Category:State Quizbowl Organizations]]

Latest revision as of 00:30, 7 June 2024

The Ohio Academic Competition (OAC) is the format that is used in most Ohio High School quizbowl tournaments. It is the most common format in the state, second to NAQT and television-show formats. Every year, the OAC Committee hosts two tournaments at the end of the season, the Regional Tournaments that are hosted at 6 sites across the state and the State Championship Tournament. The format is most beloved for its permission of conferral before, during, and after the question, as well as directed team questions with an Alphabet Round (worksheet) as the middle portion of the match.

Format

Like most formats, two teams compete in a match. The rules state that the sides are chosen by a coin flip, although more recently moderators simply used the side the team picks to be "Team A" and "Team B". Therefore, the team that sits to the moderator's left will generally be "Team A" and the team on the moderator's right will be "Team B". If both teams have a particular preference as to whether they are Team 'A' or Team 'B', it is common practice for the decision to be determined via coin flip with the team who has traveled the greater distance to the match site being assigned to call 'heads' or 'tails' in the air.

While some tournaments may slightly deviate from the official rules, there are generally three parts to an OAC match. They are the category round, the alphabet round, and the lightning round. Teams are permitted to substitute between rounds.

Category Round

In this round, teams are asked questions in ten categories. They are (in order) American Literature, Mathematics, World History, Fine Arts, Life Science, English/World Literature, U.S. Government/Economics, Physical Science, World Geography, and U.S. History.

In each category, the two teams will each receive their own team question. In American Literature, Team A is the first team to receive their question. They will have two opportunities to answer their question within ten seconds. Teams do not need to buzz for this part. If their first response is correct, the team will earn two (2) points. If their second response is correct, they will earn one (1) points If, however, neither of their responses is correct or their ten seconds run out, the opposing team will get an opportunity to "steal" the question for one (1) point. The same process is then reversed, with Team B receiving the first two opportunities to answer the question. If the team that is directed to answer the original team question answers incorrectly twice before the ten seconds, runs out the opposing team is awarded the balance of the time remaining (on the timer's countdown to 0 seconds) to answer. After both sides are complete, a pyramidal toss-up question is read to both teams, and teams only get one opportunity each to answer. A correct answer is worth two (2) points.

In the next category (Mathematics), the order the teams hear the questions are reversed. Team B will get the first math question, and then Team A will get the second question. The third is still a tossup for both teams. This process is repeated throughout all ten categories.

Alphabet Round

After the category round is complete, teams (after substitution) will receive two printed copies of the question sheet, and one "official" answer sheet (aka a blank sheet of paper) to write down their answers to the questions. Both teams receive the exact same set of questions, and all of the answers will begin with the same letter. Usually the letter will either be announced or printed at the top of the question sheet. Teams are to keep the question sheets face down, but are allowed to distribute the copies (face-down) until directed to flip the sheets over and begin the round. Teams will have four minutes to answer all questions, with each answer being worth two (2) points.

Final Round

The third and final part of the match is called the Final Round. In the final round, twenty questions are read to both teams and each correct answer is worth two points each. The questions in the final round are pyramidal and resemble a house-written tossup/bonus set in quality and length. The questions come from the categories listed above, as well as Mythology, Religion, Philosophy, and Social Science. Some local formats also include an additional 10 tossup theme round at the end of these 20. Unlike the regionals-states set, as well as well-reputed regular season Saturday events that are OAC formatted, these productions are generally non-pyramidal and do not follow a distribution. These lesser-utilized suppliers, unusual quirks within the formatting and rules have widely been eschewed when the OAC began promoting and pursuing "good quizbowl" practices in the early 2010's.

OAC Committee

As of June 2024, the OAC Committee has fifteen voting members. There can be up to twenty voting members on the Committee at a given time. As constituted, the breakdown of Committee spots is as follows: two fixed spots for each of the six regions, At-Large spots (the number of which must equal the number of sponsored regions, but it is not required that each region have representation in the At-Large ranks), a College Representative and a representative for the Middle School programs.

Prospective Committee members must apply to the OAC, from which their applications are fielded and nominations occur within Executive Session. If a nominee is approved, and accepts their invitation to join the Committee, their membership is guaranteed for life provided that they regularly participate with the functions of the Committee. The Committee has the power to change any of the rules to the OAC format, and it also is responsible for the approval and replacement of each registered school into sites for the Regional Tournaments. The members are:

Member Name Affiliation Region
Bing Bingham None Executive Director
Bob Kilner Eastlake North High School North Coast
Peter Bergman Solon High School North Coast
Joshua Eck Copley High School Northeast
Vacant Vacant Northeast
Vacant Vacant Northwest
Vacant Vacant Northwest
Lynn Stevenson Fisher Catholic High School Southeast
Mike Sedlack Fisher Catholic High School Southeast
Brian Meeron Walnut Hills High School Southwest
Ron Maupin Little Miami High School Southwest
Tommy Segi Springboro High School West Central
Vacant Vacant West Central
Simon Zimmerman The Ohio State University College Representative
Tyler Benedict Miami Valley School Middle School Representative
Sue Korosa Copley High School At-Large
Missy Hardy Indian Hill High School At-Large
Joshua Queen Chillicothe High School At-Large
Thomas Moore unaffiliated At-Large
David Jones Northmont High School At-Large
Vacant Vacant At-Large

Regional Tournaments

Currently, tournaments are held at six different regions throughout the state. This was an expansion from the early 2000s when there were only four regions. In May 2015, discussions emerged as to potential expansion of the regional tournament to two additional regions, for a total of eight. However, this did not materialize and, as of 2024, it is unlikely that regional expansion will be seriously considered at any time in the near future due to more pressing concerns relevant to the health and functioning of already existing regions.

When teams arrive, they will take a Seeding Quiz that consists of 50 questions on paper. The questions get harder as the numbers increase, and the teams will be seeded based on the highest number of correct answers. The tiebreaker is the highest number question that is correctly answered.

Each regional tournament, if the statewide sum of registered teams is 96 schools or less, holds a maximum of 16 teams. If, in years where the sum of qualified teams statewide is greater than 96, regions may accommodate more than 16 teams. These teams will all face-off in a double-elimination tournament, where the first and second place teams will be sent to the State Tournament in Columbus. To qualify for a regional tournament, a team must win a tournament (or a division of a tournament) with at minimum six schools competing or qualify within the top 15% of either a tournament field writ large, or a constituent bracket of the tournament. The qualified team must be specifically identified by the competition organizer. Note that Ohio teams that win tournaments in other states can now automatically qualify for the OAC Regional tournament given that they meet the qualification requirements, such as winning a bracket comprising of six different schools.

State Tournament

The State Championship Tournament is generally held in Columbus, Ohio or at a suburban school adjacent. A team is eligible for the State Tournament if the finish in the first or second place at their respective regional site, or if they earn one of the at large bids. Starting in 2018, teams are seeded based on their statistics from regionals. Each team is ranked based on are their alphabet round average plus their average team category points multiplied by two. Those stats are also what is used to determine who gets the 4 wild card bids. Sixteen teams compete in each years state championship tournament.

The format of the tournament itself is a double elimination bracket. For teams that lose their second game in the same round, there is pool play to determine precise placement.

Past Champions

Year Champion Region Runner-Up Region
2023 Solon NC Northmont WC
2022 Solon NC Beavercreek WC
2021 Beavercreek WC Solon NC
2020 CANCELED N/A COVID-19 N/A
2019 Beavercreek WC Miami Valley WC
2018 Beavercreek WC Miami Valley WC
2017 Beavercreek WC Fisher Catholic SE
2016 Solon NC Sidney WC
2015 Northmont WC Sidney WC
2014 Northmont WC Fisher Catholic SE
2013 Northmont WC Solon NC
2012 Olmsted Falls NC Northmont WC
2011 Copley NE Northmont WC
2010 Solon NE Copley NE
2009 Green NE Walnut Hills SW
2008 Garfield Heights NE Solon NE
2007 Garfield Heights NE Fisher Catholic SE
2006 Fisher Catholic SE Walnut Hills SW
2005 Copley NE Tippecanoe WC
2004 Fisher Catholic SE Moeller SW
2003 St. Charles SE Moeller SW
2002 Copley NE North Olmsted NE
2001 Beavercreek SW St. Xavier SW
2000 Beavercreek SW St. Charles SE
1999 Copley NE Garfield Heights NE
1998 Copley NE St. Xavier SW
1997 St. Xavier SW Garfield Heights NE
1996 Brecksville-Broadview Heights NE St. Xavier SW
1995 Copley NE Archbishop Hoban NE
1994 Beavercreek SW Norwalk NW
1993 Elyria NW Copley NE
1992 Beachwood NW Copley NE
1991 Wellington Academy SE Defiance NW
1990 Beavercreek SW Garfield Heights NE
1989 Gilmour Academy NE Howland NE
1988 Gilmour Academy NE Columbus Alternative SE
1987 Norwalk NW Lancaster SE
1986 Wheelersburg SE Wapakoneta NW
1985 Wheelersburg SE Columbus Alternative SE

Historical Criticisms

  • In the 2008 Regional Tournaments, many sites had different drawings of what the Double-Elimination brackets could look like, causing some teams to play different schedules than if they had been assigned to another region. One region in particular (EC) had confusing brackets that some teams had troubles understanding.
  • The random-draw method previously used to assign teams at the regional and state tournaments was considered controversial. Prior to it's removal, at states the six regional champions draw red 1,2 or 3 or blue 1,2 or 3. The regional runners-up from the same region are then place in the opposite brackets. While this may seem fair, the fact that OAC format does not usually single out the best teams causes a draw as in 2007, where Fisher Catholic (NAQT-2nd), Tippecanoe (NAQT-1st), Copley (NAQT-3rd) and North Canton Hoover were all placed in the same half of the bracket, while Walnut Hills (generally considered the strongest NAQT team in Ohio) and Garfield Heights were in the other bracket.

Criticisms

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External Links

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