OP Quiz Bowl Makes Impressive Showing at NJ Championships

Justin Oei, Staff Writer

Oratory’s Quiz Bowl Team made an impressive showing at the New Jersey State Championships of the National History Bowl in Ridgewood on Saturday. The A-Team, consisting of Justin Oei, James Bowe, Steven Mezzomo and Matt Mazzuca, had an impressive undefeated record in the preliminary rounds of the Bowl. The B team also fared well with a 3-2 record and consisted of Nick Looney, Tommy Gress, Kevin Merila, Ryan BerghThies, Jake Noss and Chris Kraemer. Ultimately, both teams qualified for the national championships in Washington in April and competed in the playoff rounds, where OP B fell to Leonia in the round of 32 and OP A lost a valiant effort against the highly-ranked High Tech of Monmouth County. Bowl competitors also fared well in individual competitions: Ryan BerghThies qualified for nationals and Justin Oei won the Varsity division in the International Geography Olympiad; James Bowe qualified for nationals in the National History Bee.

The team competes next on January 28th at Tenafly High School.