Quiz bowl team takes state title

Utica Academy for International Studies students have claimed the state title of the annual High School Quiz Bowl Championship.

More than 700 high school students from across the state gathered at Michigan State University recently to participate in the competition, which features a Jeopardy-style tournament covering all areas of study.

Teams from local area high schools compete in a competition of fast-paced toss-up questions and in-depth follow-up questions.

There are multiple rounds, culminating in a final round where the top two teams face each other to determine the quiz bowl champion.

This year's UAIS team has featured multiple top finishes in invitational competitions and an undefeated Macomb Area Conference league season.

Team members are: Seniors Arpita Nayak, Tommy Collins, Kevin Shaughnessy, Elise Gertsch, Greg King and Alyssa Sanderson; Junior Collin Syler; Sophomores Jakob Gertsch, Natalie Crossen, Tyler Nguyen and Colin Solomon; Freshmen Molly Duplaga, Jason Deal and Nick Borchich. They are coached by UAIS teacher William Dobbie.

The team will wrap up their season with a trip to Chicago in June to compete against the best teams in the nation.