PETOSKEY – December 13, 2021 – St. Michael High School (SMHS), Northern Michigan’s only Classical Catholic high school, announced today that its Quiz Bowl team was victorious at the first two Char-Em District tournaments so far in the 2021-22 season. Both events were held at North Central Michigan College (NCMC).

At the season opener in November, the SMHS ‘A’ team finished first out of 14 contending teams to retain the “Grand Champion” trophy held by the school since February 2020.

Maintaining its momentum in last week’s second tournament, the SMHS ‘A’ team repeated as champions, topping a 16-team field with a perfect 7-0 record, edging Petoskey High School in the championship round.  The SMHS ‘B’ team scored an impressive fifth-place finish.

“Despite last season being scuttled by the Covid crisis, we’ve picked up where we left off, successfully defending our title,” stated SMHS Quiz Bowl Coach Bret Keefe. “For five years now, we’ve been blessed with talented players as we’ve established a tradition of excellence at St. Michael, and this year is no exception!”

“Every year I’m amazed by the composure and skill of our ladies and gentlemen,” Mr. Keefe added, “and looking to our future, I’m particularly encouraged by the progress of our young B-team. It’s exciting to watch our underclassmen hold their own against the best and brightest from across the region.”

The Guardians are led by captains Liam Nolan and Anne Mercer, along with program veterans Mary Catherine Gengle and Daniel Keefe. Newcomers Catherine Hayes, Grace Broz, Russell Vandermus and Marley Kern have also been key contributors this season.

Next up for the Guardians is the third Char-Em Quiz Bowl tournament, scheduled for January 7 at NCMC.  St. Michael High School has emerged from the Covid crisis stronger and more vital than ever as it fully joins the Chesterton Schools Network, the largest and fastest-growing network of its kind in the country. In light of the cultural turbulence of our times, SMHS welcomes all families who seek better education and faith formation for their teenagers and accepts transfers at any time during the academic year.

Established in 2013, the St. Michael mission is to nurture and elevate a new generation of joyful leaders educated in the Classical tradition and truth of the Catholic faith. For information on SMHS, visit the school website at https://stmichaelchesterton.org or contact Headmaster Dr. Richard Brake at drbrake@stmichaelpetoskey.org.