January 19, 2026
Cowley College Quiz Bowl Prepares for NAQT Sectional Tournament
Andrew Allen, Rawson Ray, Jimmy Bell, Eli Hubble and Rachel Goodnight
The Cowley College Collegiate Quiz Bowl team is intensifying its preparation for the National Academic Quiz Tournaments (NAQT) Sectional Championship, set for January 24 in Independence, Kansas. The sectional tournament serves as a crucial qualifier for the NAQT National Championship Tournament, which will be held in Chicago at the end of February. Teams must qualify at Sectionals to receive an invitation to nationals, with a first-place finish earning an automatic bid.
In anticipation of the competition, Cowley Quiz Bowl students have been practicing with challenging questions that reflect the structure and difficulty of NAQT play. Preparation also extends beyond practice sessions and into the classroom. Quiz Bowl participants are encouraged to take Art History, a course taught by Mark Flickinger, because a significant number of NAQT questions draw from art and visual culture topics that students may not otherwise encounter.
This year’s Cowley team is particularly strong in STEM fields and history, with some background in literature, making exposure to additional subject areas especially important. Team Sponsor Dianne Flickinger noted that students are not only focused on passing the course but are also thinking strategically about how the material may appear in competition. Mark Flickinger has been especially impressed with Rawson Ray’s ability to retain and recall detailed information.
Cowley’s commitment to interdisciplinary preparation has included contributions from other faculty as well. During the Fall 2025 semester, Humanities instructor Abigail Green attended a Quiz Bowl practice to speak with students about American poets. Her enthusiasm for poetry was evident as she discussed her favorite poets and shared tips on how to recognize an author’s style, giving students practical tools for literature-based questions.
Quiz Bowl practices emphasize both knowledge and strategy. Toss-up questions begin with difficult clues and gradually become easier as they progress. Students may interrupt the question to answer at any point, but once the question concludes, they have only three seconds to respond. Answering correctly before the designated “power” mark earns an extra five points, while an incorrect interruption results in a five-point penalty. This dynamic adds excitement and encourages quick thinking, rewarding students who can identify answers earlier than their opponents.
Teamwork is also a central part of Cowley’s preparation. After a toss-up is answered, teams collaborate on a set of bonus questions, discussing possible responses before the team captain selects the final answer. Practices often feature visible excitement, with fist bumps and celebration following correct responses, reflecting the strong camaraderie and communication skills that define the team.
The Cowley College Quiz Bowl team will travel to Independence on January 24 with the goal of earning a spot at the NAQT National Championship Tournament. Their focused preparation highlights Cowley College’s dedication to academic excellence, interdisciplinary learning, and collaborative competition.
Hunter Ferguson | Integrated Communications Specialist
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
hunter.ferguson@cowley.edu