MANSFIELD – Throughout November, Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center virtually hosted high school students as they battled it out to be the Academic Challenge champion.
Students competed as teams, answering questions about a wide range of topics including literature, fine arts, geography, history, math, and science.
Over the course of Nov. 2, 16 and 23, eight varsity teams and eight junior varsity teams from Ashland, Crestview, Hillsdale, Lexington, Madison, Mansfield, Mansfield Christian, and Plymouth competed in league play. All teams played nine matches and the team with the highest cumulative score was declared the winner.
In the end Ashland emerged the victor with Lexington placing second for the varsity league. For the junior varsity league, Madison triumphed with Mansfield Christian and Lexington tying for second place.
“The commitment and flexibility of the students and coaches during the league is what ultimately led to such a successful finish to our virtual Fall League competition,” said Leanna Ferreira, Gifted Student Consultant and coordinator of the Academic Challenge meets. “A huge congratulations to each of the teams.”
On Nov. 21, league play was “interrupted” for a one-time tournament. As with league play, each team gathered in one room and connected with the other team and the reader via Zoom in a virtual room to quiz. Teams from Ashland, Crestview, Highland, Hillsdale, Lexington, Madison, Mansfield, Mansfield Christian, Plymouth, and Tiffin participated.
In a nail-biting final round, Ashland defeated Lexington for the varsity tournament championship, 51-49. Lexington came back to win in the junior varsity tournament, again competing against Ashland, 33-18.
Ferreira said she is glad Mid-Ohio ESC can continue to provide students with a safe opportunity to compete this year despite the challenge of a global pandemic.
“This was a great opportunity for students and coaches to showcase their skills, and they all really represented their districts well.”
Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center provides specialized academic and support services to 10 school districts and over 17,000 students in Crawford, Morrow and Richland Counties. Client districts receive services from curriculum, gifted and special education consultants, speech pathologists, psychologists, special education teachers, occupational therapists and physical therapists.
