Now that application deadlines have been met Academic Superbowl head coach Matt Dillon and assistant coach James Ziegler are in the process of assigning groups to participants and are beginning the lengthy process of selecting captains. They will be interview candidates in upcoming weeks.

“I have not assembled my respective teams, but we have right about eighteen participants, which is pretty normal. Mr. Ziegler and I are also looking at setting up our interviews (for the position of captain) and at whom we want to interview,” Dillon said.

The role of captain is one of the most prestigious honors on the Academic Superbowl team, for they are  responsible for the proper delegation of information as well as organizing meetings (in classrooms or at the Carmel Clay Public Library (CCPL)).  These students will also responsible for their team’s success at the competitions, which will begin in February.

“What the captains do is the planning and organizing of how the teams prepare for the actual competition,” Dillion said. “We try to give them as much help as (Mr. Ziegler and I) can. But in the end, they’re the ones that come up and go through the practice questions; they’re the ones that master the information and they’re the ones who, when push comes to shove, make the final decisions.”

According to Dillon, there are several “veteran captains” on this year’s roster, and therefore will almost automatically be assigned the role of captain, should they show interest in the position.

“There are some captains that are veteran, and there’s no opposition to them. We may talk to them, but more as a courtesy thing,” Dillon said

However, with the graduation of several senior captains from the 2011-2012 Academic Superbowl team, there are also a few positions that have been left open for new candidates, according to Dillon. Dillon is currently seeking a candidate to replace 2012 graduate Jeff Hu as captain of the math squad. According to Dillon, Hou proved to be one of the most capable captains and succeeded in bringing his squad to last year’s statewide competition, leaving behind “some large shoes to fill.”

“That position is brand new, and we’ll have to interview several candidates. Typically, we’re looking at one to two candidates to fulfill the position, but it’s all respective to the number of participants in that group,” Dillon said.

Rushvi Desai, former science squad captain and senior, said she is eager to begin practices and resume her role of captain. However, she said she also recognizes the responsibilities and honor that comes with “great power,” and her responsibility to her subject squad as a potential captain.

“First of all, going to State is prestigious, just as it is in any other academic competition or sport. Also, there’s nothing wrong with bringing another trophy back to Carmel!” Desai said.