Quiz Bowl team tests trivia

By Catherine Zende
zendec@mytjnow.com

It is one thing to answer questions on a paper, but putting that knowledge to the test with real-life, competitive trivia game is a different kind of challenge. 

Last Saturday, students from Winthrop’s quiz bowl team competed in the Big South quiz bowl tournament to put their knowledge to the ultimate test.

The event, which was hosted by Winthrop, included quiz teams from Winthrop, Gardner-Webb, Radford, Liberty, Coastal Carolina, Virginia Military Institute and UNC Asheville.

The team spent significant time preparing for the anticipated trivia and studying from subject sheets. “We practice and use sample questions. We do it much like a real game,” Junior Mirielle Smith said. 

The competition consisted of seven rounds each split into two ten minute halves. The questions involved math, literature, art, chemistry, biology, history and pop culture. Although the team has six members, only four can compete during the round.

Quiz bowl team members come from a variety of majors and are: Katie Zanowski (captain), Jessica Creel, Miri Smith, Hampton Ballowe and alternates Jon Hoin and Joshua Dunn.

Smith, an English major, was ready for English questions, but often responded to other topics. Smith earned the nickname “random owl” because she gets random questions.

Smith placed seventh in overall individual performance. She first became involved with the team thanks to a connection to John Timmons, tournament director, quiz bowl team coach and assistant director for residence life. “I was in an Honors Symposium class taught by J.T. (Timmons) about the cultural impact of the Beatles. They needed people, I said ‘sure,’ and I have had a lot of fun doing it,” Smith said.

Jon Hoin, senior biology major, also came to the team because of a connection to Timmons. Hoin was an resident assistant for residence life and learned of the quiz bowl through Timmons. Hoin is one of two members who specialize in science and math questions for the team. 

Despite the serious questions and competition, the team managed to find humor in the games. The team walked away with good experience like a player accidentally saying “derrier” (another word for butt) instead of Dürer (a German artist) or Smith’s bright yellow sunglasses used for dramatic effect when answering questions. 

Liberty walked away with the title for the third year in a row and Winthrop tied for fourth place. 

“It’s really fun to realize that the random knowledge you have is actually useful,” Smith said

How does the team intend to stay sharp? “We have actually been talking about getting together for trivia nights at McHale’s [Irish Pub] just for fun and to keep sharp,” Smith said. “But we are also planning to keep practicing throughout the year.” 

The team is coached by Timmons and Dylan Phillips, an English graduate student. The quiz bowl team is also sponosred by University College. The tournament was co-sponsored by Winthrop and Big South. 

In addition to the academic quiz bowl, the Big South also hosts the Big South Undergraduate Research Symposim (BigSURS), which will be held at Winthrop in  April.  For Smith, there is a clear message to tell the Winthrop community: “Quiz Bowl is fun time.”