Indiana 2015-2016

[NLiu]

Don't know if there's anyone in Indiana left on these forums, but here's the scant news on this state this year.

I'm not sure what exactly has happened to Culver's program, or what will happen (they didn't attend Nationals for the second consecutive year), but Rotary may have a new host this year. It's very important that this does occur, because it is the only legitimate state championship left. Kiester is still down at Harrison and if he can get them more interested in real forms of quizbowl it could bode well for everybody this year. However, as of right now it appears that it'll take a great deal of work just to keep the handful of pyramidal tournaments (North White, Culver, and Rotary) alive this year. Another invite hosted by Saint Joseph would be a welcome break.

Pre-Season Rankings

1. Culver
They return Tommy, who won JV History Bowl, and Phillip, who has been their science player for two years. Other possible players with potential include Med Vehta who performed decently on A-level questions. Culver will start off with the deepest and most experienced varsity with a near-lockdown on science, and if Tommy can maintain his status as the best history player in the state and if they branch out into categories like Lit or Art they could very easily reclaim the top spot that's eluded them for a few years.

2. Saint Joseph
We lose me, meaning that Lit, History, Religion, Myth, Philosophy, Social Science, and Fine Arts will have to be picked up by people. After an incredible Nationals performance, Steve Benchik looks to lead the team as a history/geography/current events specialist. He will be supplemented by Love Ossunuga, who handle the majority of Science, Reed Oei, who will take on Fine Arts, the rest of science, and some Myth, and Gus Desch or Will Spetnjak, who will be handling Lit and RMP. This is a team that lost to Culver A 285-255 the one time they met playing IS sets, and that won one game against them at F/S State. If these individuals successfully come together (mostly Steve), then I could see them surpassing me and breaking the top 50. If they don't...they probably finish second at State. They definitely start the year out number two, but they are balanced enough to go very very far.

3. Harrison
They lose the four seniors who were the core of their team that played me closest of any in-state team. What they have left will be promising but not threatening as of now; our F/S team dismantled theirs easily at State, and they lack the experience or improvement ability to be seriously imposing. Since this is Harrison, they will get better but not THAT much better--still a solid third-best unless something miraculous happens.

4. Mishawaka
Dominic Giannuzzi is young and decent at quizbowl; he lost two decently close games against the current Saint Joseph Varsity during league play before being wrecked at State by me (although they did beat Harrison, which shows promise). Their coach is also young and seems into it, and he's only going to get better. However, as a one-man team without much guidance, his chances of finishing better than second in the league and third-fourth at state are minimal.

Everybody else
Plays or doesn't matter.

[AKKOLADE]

Since Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and the Humanities attended at UK tournament last spring, I'd suggest good hosts in Indiana and surrounding areas get in touch with them.

[alexdz]

Just for planning information, I will be in grad school at the University of Illinois this fall and would be willing to, on occasion, staff some tournaments within around a 2 hour drive from there (which includes a good chunk of Indiana).

[Ben Dillon]

4. Mishawaka
Dominic Giannuzzi is young and decent at quizbowl;

I believe I found out at the last coaches' meeting that Dominic was actually a senior, so Mishawaka graduated their best (only?) weapon.

[NLiu]

Darn it, I liked that kid. He buzzed with imagination.

[nitzuga]

This seems like an appropriate thread for a first post! I generally agree with Nolan's predictions, although I think until Kickoff (or preferably an IS tournament) it's hard to tell who will be #1 between St. Joe's and Culver. I'm also not sure about Mishawaka; I didn't play them last year so I have little knowledge of their team.

I agree with Nolan's placement for us currently; while we have many intelligent/ talented players, we have typically not taken quiz bowl quite as seriously as top schools, which has not worked to our advantage. It will take some work to become a top team, but we have the potential. We are definitely more interested in "real" quiz bowl than ever before (in part due to Mr. Kiester), with us traveling a couple times last year out of state for NAQT tournaments. However, we still plan on playing NAC, partly due to tradition and some players preferring the format, but also due to the lack of in-state pyramidal tournaments. A tourney at Saint Joseph would definitely be nice.

In the meantime, I look forward to playing here at Kickoff in a couple weeks!

[NLiu]

At the conclusion of the last in-state tournament, Rotary, it's time for final in-state rankings.

1. Saint Joseph
With a win at NAQT State, Saint Joseph narrowly maintains its hold on the top spot. Steve Benchik, Love Osunnuga, and Reed Oei have proven to be a solid one-two-three combination, although 2016 has frankly proven to be somewhat of a down year for the Indians as they dropped two games to Harrison and one to Culver over the course of the season. This is a team that has averaged three to four powers a game on IS sets and around 20-21 ppb; they will be attending PACE this year, and a top-50 finish is not entirely out of the question.

2. Harrison
With a 2-2 record against Saint Joseph, Harrison has proven themselves a dangerous and fully legitimate contender in the state of Indiana. With Mr. Kiester continuing to push for the NAQT format and the team's increasing interest and participation in pyramidal tournaments throughout the Midwest, I believe that they will only continue to increase in formidability next season and could very well retake the top spot that's eluded them for some years.

3. Culver
Tommy Schacht finished as the MVP of State, and Culver has shown repeatedly the depth and balance of a top team. Their biggest weakness over the season would appear to be negging, which cost them at least one game against Saint Joseph over the course of the season. This is a program that is solid and will continue its pattern of player development, and next year could easily see them leapfrogging Harrison and possibly Saint Joseph's, depending on the improvement of Ved Mehta and other young players.

Honorable mentions, in no particular order:

University--won Frosh/Soph state, show some potential if they ever decide to switch over to a pyramidal format.

Riley--held summer practices this year, a remarkable development, and have a coach who is quite dedicated to the idea of improving. Could possibly contend in the South Bend area next year.

Adams--great showing at Rotary state.

Everyone else still plays and doesn't matter.

[nitzuga]

Thank you for the kind words, Nolan. My rankings are the same as yours. Stats from state are here. (Is there anyone else from IN here?)

1. Saint Joseph had another great season, winning the final match at Rotary in a convincing fashion (535-305) and putting up 21.65 PPB. Good luck at PACE; I'm sure you'll be successful there! Looking ahead to next year, SJ loses Steve and Love (seniors iirc?), who put up a combined 105 PPG. This may give Harrison and Culver some opportunities, but Reed, Gus, Will, and co. will also be a great team.

2. I rank us below SJ, but it's a close call. We were 2-2 vs. SJ and 2-0 vs. Culver, and have so far not lost to anyone else in NAQT tournaments. It's worth noting that our team Saturday had 4 juniors and a sophomore; two seniors who consistently played on A team were not there. This team combined with our sophomores who took Frosh/Soph State will give us a good starting point for next year, but we will need to improve our consistency and depth of knowledge (we had a couple close calls at state we probably shouldn't had). It is true that we continued shifting to primarily pyramidal questions this year (while still playing decently at NAC format). This coming Saturday we will attend Louisville's pre-national tournament, and while we couldn't work out the logistics for HSNCT/NSC this year, we have every intention of going to one next year.

3. Culver also had a great year, but was ranked below SJ and Harrison at both Kickoff and State. Tommy is a great players and a great person. He will continue to improve and, with the help of Phillip and Ved, be a contender at all Indiana tournaments next year.

Also:

University actually lost to Harrison at FS state, but the match was close and their stats were extremely impressive. They definitely have potential if they expand outside of the regular league games. Zionsville played extremely well against us (2-1 record). I believe they would be another excellent team at pyramidal tournaments if they chose to play. North White is an excellent small school that has continued to play well after Mr. Kiester's leaving. In general I thought all of the schools on Saturday played quite well.

The State of Quiz bowl in Indiana:

Quiz bowl has continued to thrive at top schools in Indiana, but there's been a worrying trend at state tournament attendance. In 2011, 25 teams played at traditional state and 21 at Rotary; this year there were only 15 and 11, respectively. Next year Harrison is hoping to expand quiz bowl participation in our area and awareness of pyramidal formats throughout our league. Let's hope this is successful.

[alexdz]

Next year Harrison is hoping to expand quiz bowl participation in our area and awareness of pyramidal formats throughout our league. Let's hope this is successful.

I'm over in Champaign, Illinois, but that's not too awfully far from your area. Please be in touch if there's anything I could help with in this endeavor - moderating, writing, etc. I can't say I would always be able to help, but if you're looking for anything over the next year, then feel free to reach out.