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2024 SSNCT RECAP: Mustangs Clinch 3rd Consecutive Top-20 Finish
The 2024 NAQT Small School National Championship Tournament was the final event of the season for The Meadows Mustangs. As they have all year, Ben Vinocur, Cole Verdirame, Rocco Santo Pietro, Gigi Gonya, and Shawn Frost overcame all of their depth challenges and more than held their own with the rest of the field, finishing in 17th place with a roster that had just one returning member. For more on their run, read below.
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SATURDAY PRELIMS RECAPMatch #1--Francis Parker B (IL)
Starting a tournament at 9am Central Time means the Mustangs are essentially playing quiz bowl with their body clocks at 7am. For the first 6 cycles, it played out that way. However, a 3-cycle flurry started by Ben Vinocur and Shawn Frost pushed Meadows ahead by halftime, 180-115. In the second half, the entire team woke up. After the Colonels powered T12 and bageled the bonus, Rocco Santo Pietro kicked off a streak that would see the Mustangs take 10 of the final 11 tossups and convert on 21 of 30 bonus parts. Final Score: 500-125. Record: 1-0. Match #2--St. Mark's School of Texas A (TX) The first of 2 national champion opponents on the day did exactly what was expected. Several first-line powers made it extremely difficult for the Mustangs to get a crack at any tossups. However, the 2nd half still had plenty of positive moments with Vinocur taking 3 tossups, and both Santo Pietro and Frost with some aggressive, well-reasoned negs that were perfectly understandable. In the end, the Mustangs knew this one would need to just be flushed. Final Score: 570-85. Record 1-1. Match #3--Mounds Park (MN) This tilt was actually a rematch from last year's playoff rounds, a game where the Mustangs eked out a 90-point victory. This time around, both the stakes and the rosters were much different. The story of this match was essentially cycles 7-16. In that time, Meadows took 10 straight tossups, spread out among Vinocur, Verdirame, and Frost. After that streak, this game was basically done. Final Score: 380-170. Record 2-1. Match #4--Maumee Valley (OH) Every Mustang player agreed this game was one they wanted back after it was done. An early Maumee Valley run was matched by a Mustang run to even the score at 120 after T9. After some trading back and forth, the Hawks salted the game away in the 2nd half partly due to some strategic early buzzes and also partly due to Meadows negging on some wheelhouse categories. Most playoff hopefuls have a game in prelims that just doesn't work out. This was that game. Final Score: 275-230. Record: 2-2. Match #5--Bishop Brossart (KY) With an annoying loss now in the rearview mirror, the Mustangs recovered about as well as you can. Matching runs by both teams saw Meadows take a small halftime lead (130-110) due to better bonus conversion. In the 2nd half, the sting from the Maumee Valley loss completely evaported. Meadows took 10 tossups in the half, once again spread out among Vinocur, Verdirame, and Frost. A mostly workmanlike effort led to an easy victory. Final Score: 410-175. Record: 3-2. |
THE MEADOWS
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Match #6--King's Academy (IN)
This match was huge because it was the last one before the break, and it would also dictate how much leeway the Mustangs would be able to work with in the afternoon for potential playoff qualification. In one of their best games of the day, the Mustangs had all 5 players crack the scoresheet, with each player scoring on their own wheelhouse category. Meadows ended up holding King's Academy to just one cycle in the 2nd half. Final Score: 415-40. Record: 4-2.
Match #7--BASIS McLean A (VA)
The afternoon rounds began with a matchup against the 2nd champion in the pool. This time, the Mustangs were able to hang around longer with a former champ. The two teams traded tossups for the first 5 cycles, and Meadows took a brief lead at 100-90. From there, BASIS McLean put together a few mini-runs to gradually pull away for the rest of the match. However, the Mustangs put in an effort that gave them plenty to feel good about for their last 3 matches of the day. Final Score: 510-225. Record: 4-3.
Match #8--Westwood School (TX)
Heading into the final 3 matches, the situation was crystal clear--take 2 out of 3 to play on Sunday. The Mustangs began the test by taking 8 tossups in the first half and jumping out to a 255-95 halftime lead. The second half would be more of the same but with even better balance as Vinocur, Verdirame, Frost, and Gonya all tallied scores. The first hurdle to Sunday was easily cleared, giving the Mustangs 2 shots to win at least 1 game. Final Score: 465-175. Record: 5-3.
Match #9--Lausanne Collegiate (TN)
Normally when Meadows jumps out to a 155-point lead, they're almost guaranteed to win. That trend was definitely in jeopardy by the second half. Despite leading 150- -5 after 7 tossups, Lausanne eventually came all the way back to take the lead after T19, 245-230. If the Mustangs were going to clinch a playoff spot, they'd need to execute a perfect endgame. On T20, Lausanne negged, but the nature of the incorrect response ended up revealing the correct answer, which meant the tossup needed to be replaced. Since Lausanne had already missed, the Mustangs got to hear the whole replacement for free. They took an easy 10 plus 20 to regain the lead. The clock ticked just under 30 seconds as T21 began, a little too much time to bleed out on just a tossup. What happened next, though, was the product of experience. The tossup went all the way to the end, taking the clock down to 15 seconds. Lausanne buzzed, was prompted, and couldn't come up with the correct answer. That left 8 seconds on the clock. If it went dead, another tossup would surely be read and give Lausanne a chance to come back. Instead, Vinocur waited 2.5 seconds, buzzed, waited another 2.5 seconds to begin his response, and then gave his response. As the moderator began to rule it incorrect, the clock ran out, icing the game. Ironically, the intentional stall and miss proved to be the game winner, sending the Mustangs to the playoffs. Final Score: 260-235. Record: 6-3.
Match #10--Sacramento Country Day (CA)
Now that Meadows was in for Sunday, they were now playing for seeding. At Nationals, going 6-4 makes the playoffs, but it means you start the double-elimination bracket with 1 loss. Entering at 7-3 means you get 2 losses before elimination. So, while the playoff berth was secure, the 2-loss cushion still required another victory. The Mustangs made sure it was never in doubt. By halftime, it was 210-30. AFter a mini run by Sacramento Country Day, the Mustangs scored on 8 of the final 9 cycles to finish Saturday with a big-time exclamation point. Final Score: 475-90. Final Prelims Record: 7-3. By virtue of his performance, Vinocur was named to the Tournament All-Star Team.
And with that, the Mustangs were off to the Sunday playoffs.
This match was huge because it was the last one before the break, and it would also dictate how much leeway the Mustangs would be able to work with in the afternoon for potential playoff qualification. In one of their best games of the day, the Mustangs had all 5 players crack the scoresheet, with each player scoring on their own wheelhouse category. Meadows ended up holding King's Academy to just one cycle in the 2nd half. Final Score: 415-40. Record: 4-2.
Match #7--BASIS McLean A (VA)
The afternoon rounds began with a matchup against the 2nd champion in the pool. This time, the Mustangs were able to hang around longer with a former champ. The two teams traded tossups for the first 5 cycles, and Meadows took a brief lead at 100-90. From there, BASIS McLean put together a few mini-runs to gradually pull away for the rest of the match. However, the Mustangs put in an effort that gave them plenty to feel good about for their last 3 matches of the day. Final Score: 510-225. Record: 4-3.
Match #8--Westwood School (TX)
Heading into the final 3 matches, the situation was crystal clear--take 2 out of 3 to play on Sunday. The Mustangs began the test by taking 8 tossups in the first half and jumping out to a 255-95 halftime lead. The second half would be more of the same but with even better balance as Vinocur, Verdirame, Frost, and Gonya all tallied scores. The first hurdle to Sunday was easily cleared, giving the Mustangs 2 shots to win at least 1 game. Final Score: 465-175. Record: 5-3.
Match #9--Lausanne Collegiate (TN)
Normally when Meadows jumps out to a 155-point lead, they're almost guaranteed to win. That trend was definitely in jeopardy by the second half. Despite leading 150- -5 after 7 tossups, Lausanne eventually came all the way back to take the lead after T19, 245-230. If the Mustangs were going to clinch a playoff spot, they'd need to execute a perfect endgame. On T20, Lausanne negged, but the nature of the incorrect response ended up revealing the correct answer, which meant the tossup needed to be replaced. Since Lausanne had already missed, the Mustangs got to hear the whole replacement for free. They took an easy 10 plus 20 to regain the lead. The clock ticked just under 30 seconds as T21 began, a little too much time to bleed out on just a tossup. What happened next, though, was the product of experience. The tossup went all the way to the end, taking the clock down to 15 seconds. Lausanne buzzed, was prompted, and couldn't come up with the correct answer. That left 8 seconds on the clock. If it went dead, another tossup would surely be read and give Lausanne a chance to come back. Instead, Vinocur waited 2.5 seconds, buzzed, waited another 2.5 seconds to begin his response, and then gave his response. As the moderator began to rule it incorrect, the clock ran out, icing the game. Ironically, the intentional stall and miss proved to be the game winner, sending the Mustangs to the playoffs. Final Score: 260-235. Record: 6-3.
Match #10--Sacramento Country Day (CA)
Now that Meadows was in for Sunday, they were now playing for seeding. At Nationals, going 6-4 makes the playoffs, but it means you start the double-elimination bracket with 1 loss. Entering at 7-3 means you get 2 losses before elimination. So, while the playoff berth was secure, the 2-loss cushion still required another victory. The Mustangs made sure it was never in doubt. By halftime, it was 210-30. AFter a mini run by Sacramento Country Day, the Mustangs scored on 8 of the final 9 cycles to finish Saturday with a big-time exclamation point. Final Score: 475-90. Final Prelims Record: 7-3. By virtue of his performance, Vinocur was named to the Tournament All-Star Team.
And with that, the Mustangs were off to the Sunday playoffs.
SUNDAY PLAYOFFS RECAP
Playoff Match #1--Winchester Thurston (PA)
The first playoff opponent was a familiar foe from two years ago. In 2022, the Mustangs faced off against the Bears in prelims and lost. Now, in 2024, the stakes were considerably higher for this next meeting. The result would be different as well. After trailing early, Vinocur took 5 straight tossups (4 of them for power) to help the Mustangs jump out to a 200-85 halftime lead. The Bears closed it to 75 right out of the break, but Vinocur shut down the rally by taking 3 of the next 4. The Mustangs called timeout after T21, leading 315-175. That margin was extremely important because there were only 135 points left on the board. Understanding that no negs would mathematically win the match, Vinocur and Frost took a couple of safe 10s to clinch the win. Final Score: 385-170. Overall Record: 8-3.
Playoff Match #2--St. Mark's School of Texas A (TX)
The reward for the victory meant keeping the 16 card and going up against the 1 seed in the next round. A familiar opponent, St. Mark's A entered the playoffs undefeated at 10-0. In this rematch, the Mustangs completely made up for the first meeting on Saturday. With nothing to lose, they took 5 of the first 7 tossups, giving them a 140-70 lead after 7. It was an especially stunning run considering that it was both freshmen, Gonya and Frost, who spearheaded the effort. With the young bucks fully getting the attention of the former national championsh, St. Mark's promptly woke up and methodically controlled the next 11 cycles. By about T18, the game was out of reach and Meadows called timeout. They turned their focus to a secondary goal that was suddenly within reach. Up to that point, the most points St. Mark's surrendered at the tournament was 270 (BASIS McLean A). The Mustangs had 6 cycles to scratch out 65 points and tie that mark. On T22, Vincour 10'd a St. Mark's neg which led to the Mustangs taking 20. On T23, he did the same and the Mustangs took a full 30. They were on 275 with 1 cycle left, which Frost took for 10 followed by a 10 bonus. The best performance by any team at that time against St. Mark's belonged to the Mustangs. Final Score: 495-295. Overall Record: 8-4.
Playoff Match #3--Cistercian (TX)
The way this one went was pretty simple. The packet was practially made for the opponent. While the Mustangs stayed within striking distance for most of the first half, Cistercian pulled away after the break and coasted to the win. With the loss, the Mustangs finished in 17th place--a 3rd consecutive top-20 finish for Meadows.
Thus ends the quiz bowl careers of Vinocur, Verdirame, and Santo Pietro. Rocco will be off to Tufts University, Verdirame has committed to Rice University, and Vincour will attend Bowdoin College. Santo Pietro ends his career with 615 points in 53 appearances (13-54-24). Verdirame tallied 835 (20-58-9) in 65 appearances over 6 season. As for Vinocur, he exits as the program's all-time leading scorer with 164 appearances over 6 seasons and a grand total of 13,745 points (425-821-168). To put it in perspective, the next closest player is still about 8,000 points behind him. With a state title and a top-20 National finish, this group of seniors went out in just about the best possible way they could.
The first playoff opponent was a familiar foe from two years ago. In 2022, the Mustangs faced off against the Bears in prelims and lost. Now, in 2024, the stakes were considerably higher for this next meeting. The result would be different as well. After trailing early, Vinocur took 5 straight tossups (4 of them for power) to help the Mustangs jump out to a 200-85 halftime lead. The Bears closed it to 75 right out of the break, but Vinocur shut down the rally by taking 3 of the next 4. The Mustangs called timeout after T21, leading 315-175. That margin was extremely important because there were only 135 points left on the board. Understanding that no negs would mathematically win the match, Vinocur and Frost took a couple of safe 10s to clinch the win. Final Score: 385-170. Overall Record: 8-3.
Playoff Match #2--St. Mark's School of Texas A (TX)
The reward for the victory meant keeping the 16 card and going up against the 1 seed in the next round. A familiar opponent, St. Mark's A entered the playoffs undefeated at 10-0. In this rematch, the Mustangs completely made up for the first meeting on Saturday. With nothing to lose, they took 5 of the first 7 tossups, giving them a 140-70 lead after 7. It was an especially stunning run considering that it was both freshmen, Gonya and Frost, who spearheaded the effort. With the young bucks fully getting the attention of the former national championsh, St. Mark's promptly woke up and methodically controlled the next 11 cycles. By about T18, the game was out of reach and Meadows called timeout. They turned their focus to a secondary goal that was suddenly within reach. Up to that point, the most points St. Mark's surrendered at the tournament was 270 (BASIS McLean A). The Mustangs had 6 cycles to scratch out 65 points and tie that mark. On T22, Vincour 10'd a St. Mark's neg which led to the Mustangs taking 20. On T23, he did the same and the Mustangs took a full 30. They were on 275 with 1 cycle left, which Frost took for 10 followed by a 10 bonus. The best performance by any team at that time against St. Mark's belonged to the Mustangs. Final Score: 495-295. Overall Record: 8-4.
Playoff Match #3--Cistercian (TX)
The way this one went was pretty simple. The packet was practially made for the opponent. While the Mustangs stayed within striking distance for most of the first half, Cistercian pulled away after the break and coasted to the win. With the loss, the Mustangs finished in 17th place--a 3rd consecutive top-20 finish for Meadows.
Thus ends the quiz bowl careers of Vinocur, Verdirame, and Santo Pietro. Rocco will be off to Tufts University, Verdirame has committed to Rice University, and Vincour will attend Bowdoin College. Santo Pietro ends his career with 615 points in 53 appearances (13-54-24). Verdirame tallied 835 (20-58-9) in 65 appearances over 6 season. As for Vinocur, he exits as the program's all-time leading scorer with 164 appearances over 6 seasons and a grand total of 13,745 points (425-821-168). To put it in perspective, the next closest player is still about 8,000 points behind him. With a state title and a top-20 National finish, this group of seniors went out in just about the best possible way they could.
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