Franklin Middle School
Franklin Middle School | |
Location: Springfield, Illinois | |
---|---|
Coaches | Dave Knoepfle |
State Championships | 2025 (2A), 2016 (2A), 1999 (2A) |
National Appearances | MSNCT: '25, '24, '23, '22, '21, '19 |
Program Status | Active |
School Size | 471 |
NAQT Page | link |
Franklin Middle School is a public junior located in Springfield, Illinois. Its quiz bowl team coached by Dave Knoepfle since 2003 and is among one of the most decorated & competitive middle school programs in Illinois. In a division where tournaments can be sparse regionally, the Falcons are among the few teams in Illinois that actively travel to play competitive teams throughout their season. Thus resulting in perennial success in the IESA State Tournament and regular appearances at the NAQT MSNCT.
As of 2025, along with Daniel Wright & Metcalf, the Falcons hold the record for the most appearances in an IESA State championship match with three state titles across nine appearances.
Dave Knoepfle was named 2025 IESA Class 2A Coach of the Year in recognition of his long-time dedication to the program as well as the Falcons' continued success.
Notable Team Accomplishments
- IESA State Champions: 2025 (2A), 2016 (2A), 1999 (2A)
- IESA State Runnersup: 2024 (2A), 2023 (2A), 2019 (2A), 2018 (2A), 2011 (2A), 2004 (2A)
- IESA State 3rd Place: 2022 (2A), 2006 (2A)
- IESA State 4th Place: 2005 (2A)
- IESA Sectional titles: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2011, 2006, 2005, 2004, 1999, 1996, 1990
- NAQT Middle School National Championship Tournament (A): 2025 - T21st, 2024 - T33rd, 2023 - T33rd, 2022 - T49th, 2021 - T80th, 2019 - T84th
- TQBA Living Daylights Champions: 2024
- Greenville JH Jays Invitational Champions: 2024
- Iowa Fall Open Eastern Tournament Champions: 2023
- Knight's Challenge Tournament Champions: 2023, 2024
- Wildcat Tournament Champions: 2023, 2024
- Big Cat Tournament Champions: 2022, 2023, 2024
- Pleasant Plains MS Open Champions: 2022
- Detroit Central Catholic MS Fall Tournament Champions: 2019
- Franklin Middle School Invite Champions: 2019, 2023
- PORTA Jr. High Invite Champions: 2011
Notable Individual Accomplishments
NAQT Individual Player National Championship Tournament
- 2025: Anvi Agarwal - T207th / 251
- 2022: Anshul Nagrecha - T19th / 27
- 2022: Meher Garg - T25th / 27
- 2019: Arnav Nagrecha - T49th / 83
- 2019: Jared Dong - T13th / 83
- 2019: Siddarth Bagaru - T49th / 83