The CHS It’s Academic team started off the year with a 200-point win over McLean HS and Osbourn Park HS Nov. 12 and another win over Blair, Bullis and Richard Montgomery Dec. 8.

 The team is comprised of 11 members and is divided into two sub-teams, the A team and the B team with four students and seven students respectively. The A team consists of those members with the most experience, while the B team is composed mainly of younger students looking to train. The students meet twice a week to practice questions and learn strategies.

 According to senior co-captain Matt Ochs, members of both teams participate in Quiz Bowl, which is the competition between other MCPS schools such as Poolesville and Blair. At the end of the year, MCPS It’s Academic teams have a bracket playoff to determine a champion. The A team then competes on the TV show It’s Academic and in higher-level competitions like the Beltway League. Currently, the members of the A-team include Ochs, senior co-captain Hazard, senior Lyon Chen and junior Prithish David.

 In early November, long-time It’s Academic coach and math teacher Doug Szafran resigned from his sponsor position after 15 years. Although he is no longer the sponsor, Szafran wishes the team the best of luck and encourages other students to support the team.

 “Everyone should go to all the tapings because they are awesome,” Szafran said.

 Principal Joan Benz has stepped in as temporary sponsor for the team, and Ochs is optimistic about getting a new coach.

 “We look for someone who has a genuine interest in CHS,” Ochs said. “Whoever it is has to be excited to see us succeed and help us when we lose.”

 The A team is now reviewing their strategies and trivia for its next TV appearance in March and a possible trip to the It’s Academic Super Bowl.

 “We practice when to buzz and when to make an educated guess,” Hazard said. “Learning is only half the battle; you have to gage your opponent too.”