The successful GJHS Academic team, national champions of 2022-2023, still have expectations for another great year.
The team lost four seniors last season. However, several new freshmen and a few sophomores have joined, and most of the team has returned. In total, there are 14 students on the varsity team.
“We graduated four seniors, which is always tough, and the four players who graduated were good. The freshman class is great, though, and the sophomores are good,” said GJHS teacher and Varsity Academic team coach Coady Shawcroft.
Historically, GJHS’ Academic Team has always been extremely dominant. The team has 23 wins out of the last 27 state championships.
GJHS senior Alexander Chang said he thinks this year’s team will do “pretty well” but he wasn’t sure if they will be able to match last year’s success.
With lunchtime practices and 2-hour long after-school practices every week until spring, the team is preparing for local and state competitions. GJHS sophomore Ben Garmany said the practice time will help the less experienced team members become familiar with the team.
“I would absolutely encourage kids to return. It is fun,” said GJHS academic team member Neil Scott.
The Varsity Team has 14 members. Senior Sam Guddat is the current team captain, a position he has held since his junior year. Chang and Guddat were part of the 2022-23 national championship team.
For both the JV and Varsity teams, this year will have tough competition against other high schools, so the teams have to practice very hard and have faith in themselves to stay dominant.
“I have a lot of faith in the team this year,” said GJHS teacher and JV coach Noah Schmidt.
