|
Victory in Dallas! Northeast Quiz Team
Wins National Recognition and Gold
In its very first appearance at the Intercollegiate Championship Tournament of
Academic Quiz Teams (ICT), the Northeast Quiz Team took the first place trophy for
community colleges and bested several top universities. The ICT is Jeopardy!-style academic competition among 64
colleges and universities from across the country that have won regional
eliminations. The competition took place in Dallas, Texas on April 3.
Competing for Northeast were Tyler Hughes (freshman, Higdon), Casey Lowery
(freshman, Huntsville), Garrett Monroe (sophomore, Pisgah), and Cord Pack
(sophomore, Sylvania). Andrew Burdette (sophomore, Pisgah) also accompanied the
team and served as a designated staff member for the two-day competition.
“I think our victory in Dallas shows that we really have put forth a lot of
effort towards achieving our goal. The college and the community have
contributed so much to bring us to this victory,” said Cord Pack, who
specializes in Eastern and Middle Eastern geopolitics for the team.
In its quest for the prized trophy, Northeast defeated the Division II teams
from Princeton University, Vanderbilt University and Miami University (Ohio).
Northeast also defeated returning ICT community college champion Valencia
Community College.
In addition to defeating several prestigious and more experienced teams in
head-to-head competition, Northeast also outranked several other colleges and
universities by besting other competitors’ win-loss records.
Division II teams from Case Western Reserve University, Mississippi State
University, the University of Alabama and Northwestern University were among
those which the Northeast team outranked. Northeast either defeated or outranked
the other five community colleges at ICT from Florida and Virginia.
The Quiz Team and its faculty sponsors are to be commended for this outstanding
accomplishment,” stated Dr. David Campbell, NACC President. “The team members
are very talented students and they have worked hard in developing their skills.
Their accomplishments this year reflect so well on Northeast.” Northeast
Director of Student Services Tonie Niblett commented, “The Quiz Team has
performed so well this season, and we’re proud of how well they’ve represented
Northeast on a national level.”
At the tournament, Northeast garnered a total of 2,135 points, averaging 134
points per round. Northeast defeated Princeton by a score of 225 to 145 and
Vanderbilt University by a score of 220-125. Northeast defeated former ICT
champion Valencia 125-105; Valencia finished the competition second among
community colleges. In February, Northeast lost to Valencia in the playoffs at
the Community College Championship in Orlando, where Valencia won second place.
Team Captain Casey Lowery discussed the team effort; "I'm very proud of the
team,” he said. I'm just excited that all of the hard work and time that we've
sacrificed paid off in the end.” Casey was also recognized for his individual
performance in Dallas by being named to the All-Tournament Team for his
fifth-place finish.
Northeast Faculty members Brad Fricks, Kevin Holt and Daphne Huntley serve as
co-sponsors of the Northeast Quiz Team.
“The best thing about this victory is that no one person made it happen,” said
Huntley. “The administration, staff, faculty members and Northeast alums have
all contributed to this program; parents and even grandparents have volunteered
time and energy to help with this program; our high school coaches have
dedicated countless hours teaching and training these students before they got
to Northeast. This national trophy is for the whole Northeast family.”
Kevin Holt added, “All I can say is that I am proud of these young men and their
victory. This was tough competition against the best and biggest colleges and
universities in the country, but these guys never lost their edge and never
backed down.”
Garrett Monroe, who has been a scholarship member of the team for the past two
years, summarized the victory, “This just goes to show you that the size of the
college means nothing. Northeast can compete with the best of them, even Ivy
League institutions. I’m grateful for the support of my friends, my family and
everybody at Northeast. Here’s to a great win.”
For more information, contact Dr. Daphne Huntley at
huntleyd@nacc.edu or
phone ext. 441; Bradley Fricks at
fricksb@nacc.edu or phone ext. 400;
or Kevin Holt at holtk@nacc.edu
or phone ext. 239.
Congratulating the national champ Quiz Team!
Pictured (L-R) are (front) Quiz Team members Garrett Monroe, Casey Lowery, Andrew Burdette,
and Cord Pack, (not pictured Tyler Hughes); (middle row) Dr. David Campbell, President of NACC; Dr. Daphne Huntley,
Instructor and Quiz Team sponsor/coach; (top row) Kevin Holt, Instructor and Quiz Team sponsor/coach;
Tonie Niblett, Dean of Students; and Susan Barron,
Director of Events Planning at NACC.
Article written by Dr. Daphne Huntley; photo taken by Debra A. Barrentine,
Director of Promotions and Marketing at NACC. |
