(Chelsea Update would like to thank Eric Sing for the information in this story.)
The Chelsea High School Quiz Bowl team of Alex Rogers, Clara Fredenberg, Daniel Budd (Captain), Eric Cameron, Haley Higendorf and Nathan Polens finished 3rd at the Class B State Championships hosted by MSU in East Lansing on April 15.
“I am so impressed with our students participating in this year’s Quiz Bowl season. Advisor Eric Sing has continued to build a stable of students every year with a passion for Quiz Bowl,” said Chelsea High School Principal Nick Angel.
This was the first in person State Championship since 2019. The previous two state championships had been held online with the 2020 Championships cancelled due to Covid-19. The kids had a great time competing and interacting with teams from all over the state.
The morning started off strong with convincing wins over Ludington, Williamston, Hart and Algonac. The team then lost to a very good Utica Academy team before finishing the preliminary rounds with wins over Manistee and Forest Hills Eastern.
The Bulldogs finished the preliminary rounds with a 6-1 record and were seeded 3rd heading into the playoffs.
In the playoffs Chelsea dominated Hamilton and Ionia before facing two-time defending State Champions Detroit Country Day. CHS started off incredibly well, powering the first 2 questions while taking a 70-0 lead.
Country Day took over from there and although the Bulldog’s gave them their toughest game of the day, it was not enough.
Chelsea finished in 3rd place (8-2). A fantastic result considering the team lost five seniors from last year and had only one returning starter.
“I was incredibly proud of our team as everyone worked together throughout the day,” said coach Eric Sing. “Additionally, they represented Chelsea so well with the way they interacted with the other teams. In an incredible show of sportsmanship, Budd shared his pencil and paper with a Hamilton player so that they could do their math bonus questions.”
Clara Fredenberg had an amazing day and earned 2nd team All State honors.
CHS Quiz Bowl finished the year 29-11. As a program, the team has never finished worse than 3rd in the state (3rd, 2nd, 2nd and 3rd) and has always had a student earn All-State honors.
Chelsea plays in the incredibly competitive Southeast Michigan Tri-County League that sent half of its teams to States this year (A-Howell and Saline, B-Chelsea, C-Manchester).
“We only graduate two seniors and have a very young core of players,” Sing said, adding, “I fully expect us to be able to compete at the highest level for years to come.”
