Armstrong High School Quiz Bowl team headed to the National Academic Quiz Tournaments (NAQT) national tournament

For the eighth time in its history, Armstrong High School’s Quiz Bowl team is heading to the National Academic Quiz Tournaments national tournament.

The team was invited based on its fourth-place finish at the RATRACE tournament at Rosemount in November, its ninth-place finish at the Run for the Roses tournament at Roseville in February, and making the Minnesota High School Quiz Bowl League finals that took place in February. The team also came in third place in the North Division of the league that is hosted at Armstrong.

“This has been a really fun year because our experienced players have been complimented by a host of up-and-coming ninth-graders that have energized the team and pushed us to be more competitive,” said Matt Quinn, the team’s coach.

Members of the team include top scorer Jack Brandes, a junior who has won numerous awards for individual performance. Seniors Kaeli Jacobson and Markus Farr serve as captains along with junior Graham Mincks. The team is rounded out by junior Ryan Bauman and freshman Matthew Penick. Junior Corbin Clark and senior Rolyne Pritchard will be joining these players for Nationals competition. The organization has 20 members total.

The school also hosts the state’s only popular culture quiz bowl tournament. Armstrong’s “Conceivably Regular Or Nearly Yearly Meet (ACRONYM)” was held on Feb. 28, and more than 200 students from around the state came to play.

“This event is the fun highlight favorite of the year for many quiz bowlers,” Quinn said.