According to junior Quizbowl captain Danny Hunegs, he was surprised to see the team’s victory at the conference tournament.

“The team’s reaction was shocked because it was a conference tournament, so we didn’t think it was a qualifier, and so it was a surprise to find out we qualified,” Hunegs said.

According to Quizbowl adviser Peter Dangerfield, the club’s success started off slow but quickly made improvements as the season progressed.

“I mean we really started coming together. We’ve got a lot of depth this year that we didn’t have last year, and I feel like throughout the year we just keep getting better and better,” Dangerfield said.

Hunegs said the Quizbowl team is preparing to compete against other students from across the country.

“There isn’t anything too special, but what we do to prepare for Nationals but we’ll have to do fundraising and organize the trip,” Hunegs said.

Dangerfield said fundraising is required to properly prepare for the National tournament in Atlanta, Georgia.

“This year we’re kicking around ideas of pancake breakfast, some t-shirts, talking to companies so they can sponsor us. Basically anything we can do helps,” Dangerfield said.

Dangerfield said the team has around three months to get ready for Nationals.

“I think there are like 304 teams across the country that all meet,” Dangerfield said. “You play 10 rounds and it’s kind of a part system, so if you win you take the higher rank cards and if you lose you take the lower rank cards.”