2015 Detroit Catholic Central

Season

The Catholic Central varsity academic team finished the 2014-2015 season as the most decorated and successful team in the history of the school.

The varsity A and B teams returned every member of teams that finished 14th and 21st at the previous year’s national championship tournaments. The varsity A team smashed a 14 year old school record in wins (211) by winning an astounding 250 games during the course of the year. In addition, the varsity A team ended the year ranked as the #1 quiz bowl team in the country. The B team also set a new record for wins by a B team with 136, and finished the year ranked as the #9 quiz bowl team in the country. Between the two teams a new school record was also set for most varsity tournament wins in a season with 14, which included two college tournament victories.

The season was capped off on the consecutive weekends of May 31st and June 7th. At the NAQT High School National Championship Tournament in Rosemont, IL, the varsity B team finished as the highest B-team in the country by taking 21st out of 272 schools. Not to be outdone, the varsity A team rattled off playoff wins against the #8, #, 7, and #4 teams in the country, before finally being ousted by eventual champion Arcadia (CA) to take 3rd place overall.

The following weekend in Reston, VA, the varsity academic teams competed in the PACE National Scholastic Championship. With the varsity C team finishing #41 (highest C team) and the B team finishing #17 (highest B team), Catholic Central was the only school to finish with three teams in the top-50 and two teams in the top-20.

The varsity A team won an impressive 17 consecutive games, including avenging the previous weekend’s defeat at the hands of Arcadia, to clinch a spot in the finals against the Liberal Arts and Science Academy (TX). The varsity A team answered the first 5 questions and opened a 200 point lead on their way to an eventual 470-370 victory over last year’s champion. Senior captain Jack Watts was named to the tournament all-star team.

Individually, many Shamrock quiz bowlers were noted for their performances throughout the season. Freshman Robert Crawford was awarded the Rising Stars Award at NAQT HSNCT for being the 6th highest scoring freshman. Juniors Ean Maloney and Alex La Forest were given All-World Honorable Mention Honors in May. While junior Conner Reynolds was named to the All-World Second Team. Seniors Austin Foos and Jack Watts were named to the All-World First Team. Senior Austin Foos, competed against over 130 other students claimed 2nd place in the nation at the National History Bee in Washington, D.C. Finally, seniors Jack Watts, Austin Foos, Andrius Gobis, and Conor Nailos were selected to represent Team Michigan at the National All-Star Academic Tournament in Columbus, OH.

Records

Varsity A Overall Record: 250-52 Tournament Wins: 12 NAQT State Champs 3rd at HSNCT 1st at NSC

Varsity B Overall Record: 136-56 Tournament Wins: 2 21st at HSNCT 17th at NSC

Varsity C Overall Record: 97-54 Tournament Wins: 0 53rd at HSNCT 41st at NSC

PACE NSC Champion
Preceded by	Year	Succeeded by
LASA	2015	none