Difference between revisions of "Ohio Academic Competition"

From QBWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(added Criticisms (with placeholder text to be edited and filled with modern criticisms))
 
(16 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
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.
Line 9: Line 9:
 
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 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 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 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 two (2) points.
+
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 ===
 
=== 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.
+
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 ==
 
== OAC Committee ==
−
Currently, the OAC Committee has nineteen 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:
+
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:
  
 
{| border="1" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="3"  
 
{| border="1" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="3"  
Line 28: Line 30:
 
|'''Region'''
 
|'''Region'''
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Joe Czupryn]]
+
|[[Bing Bingham]]
 
|None
 
|None
 
|Executive Director
 
|Executive Director
Line 40: Line 42:
 
|North Coast
 
|North Coast
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Bob Weiser]]
+
|[[Joshua Eck]]
−
|At-Large Delegate
 
−
|North Coast
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Cameron Flint]]
 
−
|[[Cloverleaf|Cloverleaf High School]]
 
−
|Northeast
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Josh Eck]]
 
 
|[[Copley|Copley High School]]
 
|[[Copley|Copley High School]]
 
|Northeast
 
|Northeast
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Sue Korosa]]
+
|Vacant
−
|[[Copley|Copley High School]]
+
|Vacant
 
|Northeast
 
|Northeast
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Alex Melton]]
+
|Vacant
−
|[[Benjamin Logan|Benjamin Logan High School]]
+
|Vacant
−
|Northwest
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Anita Zuber]]
 
−
|[[Van Wert|Van Wert High School]]
 
 
|Northwest
 
|Northwest
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Michael Czupryn]]
+
|Vacant
−
|At-Large Delegate
+
|Vacant
 
|Northwest
 
|Northwest
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Lynn Stevenson]]
 
|[[Lynn Stevenson]]
 
|[[Fisher Catholic|Fisher Catholic High School]]
 
|[[Fisher Catholic|Fisher Catholic High School]]
−
|Southeast
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Alex Connor]]
 
−
|[[St. Charles|St. Charles Preparatory School]]
 
 
|Southeast
 
|Southeast
 
|-
 
|-
Line 88: Line 74:
 
|Southwest
 
|Southwest
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Ed Sunderhaus]]
+
|[[Tommy Segi]]
−
|Cincinnati State
+
|[[Springboro|Springboro High School]]
−
|Southwest
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Joe Bellas]]
 
−
|[[Tippecanoe|Tippecanoe High School]]
 
−
|West Central
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[David Jones]]
 
−
|[[Northmont|Northmont High School]]
 
 
|West Central
 
|West Central
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Ellen Spence]]
+
|Vacant
−
|[[Beavercreek|Beavercreek High School]]
+
|Vacant
 
|West Central
 
|West Central
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Brian Easterling]]
+
|[[Simon Zimmerman]]
 
|[[Ohio State|The Ohio State University]]
 
|[[Ohio State|The Ohio State University]]
 
|College Representative
 
|College Representative
 
|-
 
|-
−
|}
+
|[[Tyler Benedict]]
−
 
+
|[[Miami Valley|Miami Valley School]]
−
== Regional Tournaments ==
+
|Middle School Representative
−
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 has been dialogue, arising as recently as May 2015, that the regional tournament could see another expansion to the size of eight regional tournaments, however this will likely not come to fruition until there is a guarantee it can be feasibly done and ran effectively.
 
−
 
 
−
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 six schools competing. 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 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.
 
−
 
 
−
For the 2016-2017 season, the Regional Tournaments will be held at the following sites:
 
−
 
 
−
{| border="1" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="3"
 
−
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
 
−
|'''Region'''
 
−
|'''Site'''
 
−
|'''TD'''
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|North Coast
+
|[[Sue Korosa]]
−
|[[Solon|Solon High School]] - Solon, OH
+
|[[Copley|Copley High School]]
−
|[[Peter Bergman]]
+
|At-Large
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Northeast
+
|[[Missy Hardy]]
−
|[[Cloverleaf|Cloverleaf High School]] - Lodi, OH
+
|[[Indian Hill|Indian Hill High School]]
−
|[[Cameron Flint]]
+
|At-Large
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Northwest
+
|[[Joshua Queen]]
−
|[[Van Wert|Van Wert High School]] - Van Wert, OH
+
|[[Chillicothe|Chillicothe High School]]
−
|[[Anita Zuber]]
+
|At-Large
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Southeast
+
|[[Thomas Moore]]
−
|[[Ohio University-Lancaster Campus]] - Lancaster, OH
+
|unaffiliated
−
|[[Mike Sedlack]]
+
|At-Large
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Southwest
+
|[[David Jones]]
−
|[[Little Miami|Little Miami High School]] - Morrow, OH
+
|[[Northmont|Northmont High School]]
−
|[[Ron Maupin]]
+
|At-Large
 
|-
 
|-
−
|West Central
+
|Vacant
−
|[[Tippecanoe|Tippecanoe High 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 ==
−
The State Championship Tournament is held on the campus of St. Charles Preparatory School in Columbus. It formerly was held a few blocks over at Columbus State Community College. 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 page playoff.  The champion of the red bracket will face the champion of the blue bracket, while the runner-up of the blue bracket will face the runner-up of the red bracket. The loser of the matchup featuring the two-runnerups will be the fourth place finisher. The winner of the game featuring the two bracket champions will have an automatic spot in the state title game(s). The loser of the game featuring the two bracket champions plays the winner of the game featuring the two bracket runner-ups. The loser of that game will finish as third in the state, and the winner of that game will finish at worst in second place, as they will play the team that has the automatic bid in the state title game.
+
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'''
Line 162: Line 136:
 
|'''Region'''
 
|'''Region'''
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 2016 (100)
+
| 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]]
 
| [[Solon]]
 
| NC
 
| NC
Line 168: Line 185:
 
| WC
 
| WC
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2015 (95)
+
|2015  
 
|[[Northmont]]
 
|[[Northmont]]
 
|WC
 
|WC
Line 174: Line 191:
 
|WC
 
|WC
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2014 (96)
+
|2014  
 
|[[Northmont]]
 
|[[Northmont]]
 
|WC
 
|WC
Line 180: Line 197:
 
|SE
 
|SE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2013 (89)
+
|2013  
 
|[[Northmont]]
 
|[[Northmont]]
 
|WC
 
|WC
Line 186: Line 203:
 
|NC
 
|NC
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2012 (96)
+
|2012  
 
|[[Olmsted Falls]]
 
|[[Olmsted Falls]]
 
|NC
 
|NC
Line 192: Line 209:
 
|WC
 
|WC
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2011 (96)
+
|2011  
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
Line 198: Line 215:
 
|WC
 
|WC
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2010 (95)
+
|2010  
 
|[[Solon]]
 
|[[Solon]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
Line 204: Line 221:
 
|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2009 (94)
+
|2009  
 
|[[Green]]
 
|[[Green]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
Line 210: Line 227:
 
|SW
 
|SW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2008 (93)
+
|2008  
 
|[[Garfield Heights]]
 
|[[Garfield Heights]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
Line 216: Line 233:
 
|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2007 (90)
+
|2007  
 
|[[Garfield Heights]]
 
|[[Garfield Heights]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
Line 222: Line 239:
 
|SE
 
|SE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2006 (90)
+
|2006  
 
|[[Fisher Catholic]]
 
|[[Fisher Catholic]]
 
|SE
 
|SE
Line 228: Line 245:
 
|SW
 
|SW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2005 (90)
+
|2005  
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
Line 234: Line 251:
 
|WC
 
|WC
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2004 (90)
+
|2004  
 
|[[Fisher Catholic]]
 
|[[Fisher Catholic]]
 
|SE
 
|SE
Line 240: Line 257:
 
|SW
 
|SW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2003 (81)
+
|2003  
 
|[[St. Charles]]
 
|[[St. Charles]]
 
|SE
 
|SE
Line 246: Line 263:
 
|SW
 
|SW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2002 (79)
+
|2002  
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
Line 252: Line 269:
 
|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2001 (86)
+
|2001  
 
|[[Beavercreek]]
 
|[[Beavercreek]]
 
|SW
 
|SW
Line 258: Line 275:
 
|SW
 
|SW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2000 (84)
+
|2000  
 
|[[Beavercreek]]
 
|[[Beavercreek]]
 
|SW
 
|SW
Line 264: Line 281:
 
|SE
 
|SE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1999 (81)
+
|1999  
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
Line 270: Line 287:
 
|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1998 (84)
+
|1998  
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
Line 276: Line 293:
 
|SW
 
|SW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1997 (83)
+
|1997  
 
|[[St. Xavier]]
 
|[[St. Xavier]]
 
|SW
 
|SW
Line 282: Line 299:
 
|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1996 (88)
+
|1996  
 
|[[Brecksville-Broadview Heights]]
 
|[[Brecksville-Broadview Heights]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
Line 288: Line 305:
 
|SW
 
|SW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1995 (88)
+
|1995  
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|[[Copley]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
Line 294: Line 311:
 
|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1994 (86)
+
|1994  
 
|[[Beavercreek]]
 
|[[Beavercreek]]
 
|SW
 
|SW
Line 300: Line 317:
 
|NW
 
|NW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1993 (81)
+
|1993  
 
|[[Elyria]]
 
|[[Elyria]]
 
|NW
 
|NW
Line 306: Line 323:
 
|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1992 (79)
+
|1992  
 
|[[Beachwood]]
 
|[[Beachwood]]
 
|NW
 
|NW
Line 312: Line 329:
 
|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1991 (78)
+
|1991  
 
|[[Wellington Academy]]
 
|[[Wellington Academy]]
 
|SE
 
|SE
Line 318: Line 335:
 
|NW
 
|NW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1990 (77)
+
|1990  
 
|[[Beavercreek]]
 
|[[Beavercreek]]
 
|SW
 
|SW
Line 324: Line 341:
 
|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1989 (76)
+
|1989  
 
|[[Gilmour Academy]]
 
|[[Gilmour Academy]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
Line 330: Line 347:
 
|NE
 
|NE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1988 (66)
+
|1988  
 
|[[Gilmour Academy]]
 
|[[Gilmour Academy]]
 
|NE
 
|NE
Line 336: Line 353:
 
|SE
 
|SE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1987 (48)
+
|1987  
 
|[[Norwalk]]
 
|[[Norwalk]]
 
|NW
 
|NW
Line 342: Line 359:
 
|SE
 
|SE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1986 (40)
+
|1986  
 
|[[Wheelersburg]]
 
|[[Wheelersburg]]
 
|SE
 
|SE
Line 348: Line 365:
 
|NW
 
|NW
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1985 (20)
+
|1985  
 
|[[Wheelersburg]]
 
|[[Wheelersburg]]
 
|SE
 
|SE
Line 355: Line 372:
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
== Criticisms ==
+
== 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.
 
* 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.
  
 +
== Criticisms ==
 +
placeholder
 
== External Links ==
 
== External Links ==
 
* [https://sites.google.com/site/ohioacademiccompetition/home Ohio Academic Competition website]
 
* [https://sites.google.com/site/ohioacademiccompetition/home Ohio Academic Competition website]

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

placeholder

External Links

Retrieved from "https://www.qbwiki.com/w/index.php?title=Ohio_Academic_Competition&oldid=64649"