Memorial Middle School Defends Title At Cardinal Challenge

's team lagged 60 points behind going into the final round of the Cardinal Challenge -- an annual academic challenge between the Mentor middle schools.

However, the Middlemen's knowledge of everything from igneous rocks to Euclid's geometry spurred them to a slim 10-point win over Shore and 's teams.

Memorial's coach wouldn't take any credit for her team's win afterward.

"I have a very, very smart team," Danielle Sherritt said. "It's really all of them."

. The year before they lost by only 10 points.

Memorial will go on to a regional competition in March at John Carroll University.

Sherritt complimented the other teams, as well, noting "a lot of who wins comes down to who rings the buzzer fastest."

All three teams demonstrated their knowledge of law, current events, prime factorization, English, Spanish, algebra, economics, Hindu religion, Egyptian history and so much more.

The teams battled in a series of timed rounds, where they only fought the clock, and lightning rounds in which students needed quick hands and quick minds.

The students have been coming early to school since October to prepare for the challenge.

Superintendent Jacqueline Hoynes thanked all the students who competed and their parents who support them.

"All of you are winners. You did fabulous up there," Hoynes said after the challenge.