Washington Middle School Brain Bowl Participates in National Tournament; Oreskovic Named All-Star
Washington Middle School sent a team to the National Academic Quiz Tournaments (NAQT) Middle School National Championship Tournament (MSNCT) May 7-8 in Chicago. There were 141 teams in attendance, the first in-person Nationals after last year's online versions and the canceled 2020 tournament.
NAQT nationals run off a "card system" that utilizes Swiss Pairs - if you're 2-1, you'll play another 2-1 team, etc. Prelims were on Saturday, and you have to have a winning record in your 8 games (5-3 or better) to qualify for the double-elimination playoffs on Sunday.
Washington, coached by David Dennis, started with a win over BASIS Austin (Texas), 385-145, but a loss 410-295 to St. John's (Texas) put them at 1-1.
After a win over Miami Valley (Ohio) 460-135, Washington dropped to eventual 33rd place White Station (Tennessee) 275-380 to go to lunch at 2-2.
After lunch, Washington lost a close game to Springfield Franklin (Illinois) 240-280, and then ran into a team on a roll in Walnut Hills (Ohio) 500-100 to lose their fourth game and miss the playoffs.
Washington then bounced back with a big win over Elm (Illinois) 495-10 and a closer win over St. Thomas' Episcopal (Texas) to finish at 4-4.
Teams not in playoffs were then ranked by points per game, which left Washington in 56th place.
Team members for Washington were Madelyn Sumper, Nathan Oreskovic, Peter Bush, Preston Wood, Teaguen Riley, Cynthia Bade and Eva Lohmeyer.
Nathan Oreskovic, eighth grade, ended up in fifth place out of 670 players with 81.36 points per game, and was named a Tournament All-Star.
WMS has attended the last nine MSNCTs, one year finishing tied for 17th and one year tied for 19th. The trophy Oreskovic received is the first-ever national honor given to any player from the School District of Washington.
Washington has never received a team trophy at any level (Middle School or High School) from any Nationals, despite coming close, and Oreskovic is the first-ever Washington player to have their name read out during the awards ceremony.
Washington Middle School Brain Bowl at Nationals
Washington Middle School sent a team to the National Academic Quiz Tournaments (NAQT) Middle School National Championship Tournament (MSNCT) in Chicago. Team members for Washington, seated from left, are Madelyn Sumper, Nathan Oreskovic, Peter Bush, Preston Wood and Teaguen Riley. Standing, from left, are Cynthia Bade, Eva Lohmeyer and Coach David Dennis.
Nathan Oreskovic Named All-Star
Nathan Oreskovic, an eighth-grade student at Washington Middle School, placed fifth out of 670 players with 81.36 points per game, and was named a Tournament All-Star, at the National Academic Quiz Tournaments (NAQT) Middle School National Championship Tournament (MSNCT).