The Redlands Community College Academic Team has been a perennial contender at the National Academic Quiz Tournaments (NAQT), and this year the team sent three squads to compete in Chicago. The A team secured a 5th place finish among the nation's top 24 community college teams in this prestigious two-day competition.
Team member Riley Ray, of El Reno, finished in a tie for second individual overall, which is the highest finish in the history of the Redlands program.
“With the success Redlands has had for more than a decade, expectations are high, but our students keep meeting the challenge” said Coach Cherry Rain. “I am so proud of them and thrilled that we were able to take three teams to nationals. They practice hard, and their dedication is admirable.”
The tournament represents the 13th time Redlands has qualified for the NAQT Championship Tournament, further cementing the institution's reputation for academic skill on the national stage.
The NAQT Community College Championship Tournament features a challenging format where teams answer questions spanning literature, history, science, fine arts, current events, sports, and popular culture in a buzzer-based competition that rewards both depth of knowledge and quick recall.
Team members include Riley Ray, El Reno; Daley Rain, Oklahoma City: Lilyanne Seewald, El Reno; Gabby Cervantes, Dover; Melody Derksen, Oklahoma City; Wyatt Lovins, Okarche; Kaden Beverly, El Reno; Derrick Krantzman, El Reno; Jack Shottenkirk, Mustang; Jared Rempe, Chickasha; Averi Manning, El Reno; and Noah Benavides, El Reno. The team is led by Rain and Assistant Coach Melissa Hilliard.