OHVA Quiz Bowl Team Goes 6-0 at Tournament

This spring, nine students from Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA)’s Quiz Bowl team traveled to Delaware, Ohio to compete in a statewide tournament. The Varsity team walked away undefeated with a 6-0 record, while the Junior Varsity (JV) team placed in the top ten. It was a standout performance — but not a surprise for anyone who’s part of the program.

A Virtual Power Team

Quiz Bowl at OHVA is a full-year program that thrives in a virtual setting. Started in 2018 by Mr. Householder and Ms. Dyer, the club has grown into a regional contender. The coaching duo’s blueprint? Recruit widely, practice consistently and develop a culture that keeps students coming back.

OHVA’s virtual format brings together students with all kinds of strengths. “You don’t have to be really, really knowledgeable in everything,” Ms. Dyer said. “You can just be great in math or history. Or maybe pop culture, if that’s your thing.”

Today, the club has 75 students, with a core group attending weekly practices and participating in tournaments. Practices run for 90 minutes twice a week. Topics are diverse so there’s something for everyone, while other practices utilize official packets from the National Academic Quiz Tournaments to simulate real match formats.

The group also meets over breaks — including winter, spring and fall breaks. It even keeps the rhythm going with an optional Summer Trivia Club.

A Showdown in Delaware

Because students live across Ohio, tournament days require travel, coordination and family support. OHVA often brings one of the biggest cheering sections. “We pack a room because all of our students have their families with them,” Ms. Dyer said.

OHVA students use a virtual buzzer system for practice, but in competition, they adapt quickly to physical buzzers and face-to-face play. Their preparation pays off, and their connection to each other carries over into the competition.

This year’s tournament featured 12 teams split across two divisions. OHVA brought two — a seasoned Varsity team and a newer JV squad. Students answered pop culture questions across music, movies, sports and other cultural categories in timed matches that felt part Jeopardy, part strategy game.

“Some of them are meeting each other for the first time. They’re meeting us for the first time,” said Mr. Householder. “But I would argue that our students are so connected virtually — when they meet in person, it’s like, ‘Oh yeah, I know who you are.’”

Varsity students competed in six matches and won them all. The closest score was 270-250, decided on the final questions. In the championship round, OHVA beat another undefeated team 410-290.

The JV team started strong with two wins but faced tight matches later in the day. “Sometimes you lose a match in the last couple of questions,” Ms. Dyer said. “It’s literally that close.”

What Comes Next

The club recently launched a middle school program for grades 6-8, helping younger students get familiar with the format and build skills early. Those students meet biweekly and may eventually compete in middle school-level tournaments if interest and logistics align.

The goal is long-term continuity — get students interested early, give them space to grow and keep them connected to each other year-round.

The OHVA Quiz Bowl team is looking to grow. If you or your student is interested in learning more, please contact Mr. Householder at [email protected] or Ms. Dyer at [email protected].

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