Our virtual tournament will consist of a minimum of eight games for all teams in a modified NAQT/national format:
- Each game shall consist of two halves of ten tossups each, with each correct tossup followed by a three-part bonus.
- Correct tossup answers are ten points each, with an additional five-point “power” awarded for providing a correct answer before a predetermined point. We will not assess a penalty for interrupting the moderator during the tossup with an incorrect answer. Tossups are five seconds each, except for math computation which will receive ten seconds.
- The team that receives the bonus will have five seconds to answer each part. The moderator will prompt after four seconds. Unless otherwise specified in a bonus set, each bonus part shall be ten points each. In the event of math computation, teams will receive ten seconds to answer, with the captain prompted after nine seconds.
- In the event a game is tied after regulation, additional tossups shall be read until the next change in score.
- Each team shall have one 30 second timeout per game. Substitutions, scorechecks, and team conferences may occur at the half, prior to overtime, or during any timeout called by either team.
- Teams rosters shall be limited to seven players. Teams may play with fewer than four players, but should have at least two. Rosters shall be submitted in advance and finalized at registration the morning of the tournament. Players may not change teams during the tournament.
NAQT has assigned MYST the MS-35 set. If you attended tournaments hosted by Adrian, Cape Girardeau Notre Dame, Savannah, the KCI and Ozark 7 Conferences, or any other event that used this set, you will not be able to participate in MYST. Additionally, we are currently limiting the field to 24 teams, and an initial maximum of two teams per school; this may expand depending on staff availability. Additional teams will be placed on a waitlist and contacted should an opening occur.
MYST will serve as a qualifier for the NAQT Middle School National Championship Tournament, set for Mother’s Day weekend. For that reason, rosters are limited to 7th and 8th graders. Wherever possible, 9th graders are encouraged to compete on their corresponding high school team in the Outstate Missouri Academic Rendezvous, scheduled for April 10th. Programs whose middle school teams play in MYST will be able to apply a $10 discount to their OMAR registration fee.
Teams will play five morning rounds, break for lunch, then return for at least three afternoon games. This setup is subject to change, depending on the number of teams signed up. Teams should log on around 8:00 a.m., with the first round set for 8:15 a.m. and afternoon rounds slated to begin at 1:30 p.m. With the exception of any playoff games for trophies, we anticipate the last game ending around 4:30 p.m.
Fee structure is as follows, per school:
- Each team: $65
- Discount for providing a competent scorekeeper: $10
- Discount for providing a competent moderator: $20
The tournament is under the direction of Moberly High School Coach Kathy Brandon and veteran scholar bowl moderator Kyle Hill of the Missouri Quizbowl Alliance, an organization dedicated to promoting quality scholar bowl tournaments around the state. Again we anticipate receiving certification and assistance from their membership. Participants will be expected to abide by the Honor Pledge and Section I (Ethics and Conduct) promulgated by the Partnership for Academic Competition Excellence (PACE).
To register for this tournament, please visit http://tinyurl.com/2021MYST. Questions concerning the tournament may be directed to either Kathy Brandon at KathyBrandon@moberlyspartans.org or Kyle Hill at kyle@hillonline.net. Please include “2021 MYST” in the subject line.
We look forward to seeing you at the 2021 MYST on February 13th.