Ashland tops Fall Academic Challenge competition

MANSFIELD – During the past few weeks, Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center was proud to host the High School Fall Academic Challenge League in the virtual format.

Students competed as teams, answering questions about a wide range of topics including literature, fine arts, geography, history, math, and science.

In varsity league competition, the 14 competing teams split into two divisions. The winner of Division A was Mount Vernon with team members Emily Hammond, Nick Grega, Makenna Hughes and Charlie Comfort.

The winner of Division B was Lexington with team members Katie S., Thomas S., Maggie S., and Wes H. The junior varsity league winner was the team from Lexington with members Seth D., Jacob H., Grant M. and Chloe D.

The runners-up came from Madison. Team members were Nate Osborne, Josh Atwell, Katelynn Ransom, Justin Gibson, Zachary Lucas, Samantha Myers, and Grady McElvain.

The Fall Tournament was back in person at the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center for the first time prior to COVID. Leanna Ferreira, coordinator for Academic Challenge, said coaches and students alike were appreciative and the energy level was high as students participated.

“It has been over a year since we’ve had in-person meets, and we were so glad that everything went smoothly. We congratulate all of the winners!”

At the varsity level, 16 teams faced off in two brackets. The winner of each bracket then faced off for the ultimate winner. Mount Vernon (winner of bracket B) took champion overall, with the team of Emily Hammond, Nick Grega, Makenna Hughes and Charlie Comfort.

Lexington (winner of Bracket A) took runner-up overall with team members Katie S., Thomas S., Maggie S., and Wes H.

In the junior varsity tournament, there were 16 teams competing in two brackets. The top teams from each bracket faced off in the final. Lexington, the winner for Bracket A, secured the victory. Team members were Seth D., Jacob H., Grant M. and Chloe D.

Ashland A, the winner of Bracket B, took runner-Up. Drew Briggs, Kloey Kaeser, James Kinney, Andrew Swartz, Riley Hammond, and Austin Conrad made up the team.

Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center provides specialized academic and support services to 11 school districts and over 18,000 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.