
Over Memorial Day weekend, eight members of the Kellenberg Academic Quiz Bowl team traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, to participate in the 2019 High School National Championship Tournament. This event attracts 336 high school quiz bowl teams from all over the country who wish to test their skill on the national stage. The eight students, seniors Chelsea-Faith Florita, Natalie Jean-Michel, Kate Long, Tyler Martinus, juniors Victor Louie, Robert Tiss, Aidan York, and sophomore Ciara Atkins, accompanied by moderators Bro. Nigel Pratt and Miss Lamonica, departed for Atlanta on the morning of Friday, May 24th. The group arrived at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, their hotel and the tournament venue, that afternoon. After arriving, the students divided into their teams for evening scrimmages. After both teams achieved two wins in their scrimmage matches, they retired for the night.

The teams rose early on Sunday morning to complete their final three preliminary rounds. The A team earned wins against Nease (FL) and Dutch Fork A (SC), giving them a final preliminary record of 6-4, which gained them entry into the competitive playoffs. The B team lost their three preliminaries on Sunday, giving them a final record of 4-6, and 247th in the tournament. The A team immediately resumed action, facing off against Acton-Boxborough (MA) in their first preliminary match in a single elimination playoff bracket. Kellenberg rose to the challenge, defeating the opposing team by 205 points. It was an especially impressive game for senior Tyler Martinus, who scored exceptionally well against the skilled team. After winning this game, the A team faced and lost to Altamont (AL), thereby eliminating them from the tournament. The team finished with a 7-5 record, earning them 73rd at the highly competitive tournament. This placement was highly successful, as Kellenberg was ranked as the best team on Long Island, as well as the fourth best in the state of New York.
The 2019 HSNCT saw great success for Kellenberg, with an exemplary performance by the A team, as well as a strong B team performance which shows that the successful program will continue for years to come. The four seniors, Chelsea, Natalie, Kate, and Tyler, will finish their season by participating in the National Scholastic Championship, hosted by the Partnership for Academic Competition Excellence, on June 8-9, 2019. The teams would like to thank their coaches, Bro. Nigel and Miss Lamonica, for all they have given to the program this season!
