Check Mate

MaxPreps Student Section

Sycamore (Cincinnati, Ohio) high school is known as a powerhouse school for academics. Year after year, students rank among the highest in the nation. In 1999, they had 35 National Merit Scholars. This was the best out of any high school in the state of Ohio. Wish this extreme academic accomplishment, what is often overlooked is the superior athletic department.

A majority of Sycamore sports are played under jurisdiction of the Greater Miami Conference. Prior to 1989 however, they played in the Eastern Hills League. In more than 20 years of being a member of the GMC, Sycamore has won over 100 conference championships in 18 different sports. In the last 22 years, men's varsity tennis team has been the school's most successful team. They have won the conference championship every year from 1990-1999. Also, since joining the GMC in 1989, they have won 18 conference championships.

Regardless of the success Sycamore has shown in conference play. The school has not fared so well at the state level. Since 1940, they have only won 13 state championships. The most recent is the girls varsity lacrosse team, who took home the title in 2007 and 2009.

While Sycamore may not be topping the leader boards in basketball and football; two teams have been consistently successful. These include the Chess, and quiz team. They practice and work as hard as any other team. Their success speaks for itself.

The Academic quiz team has finished first place in the GMC five out of the last seven years. The chess team has finished first place in the GMC five years in a row, and six out of the last seven years.

As far as the GMC is concerned, the academic quiz and chess teams are just as much of sports as football, basketball, and baseball are. In fact, to be in the GMC, each school must have both chess and quiz teams.

For a high school known for its academic prowess, it is fitting that the most successful sports for the school focus on "brain" rather than "brawn". While they may not be pumping iron at the gym, the Sycamore chess and quiz teams are certainly pulling their own weight for the Sycamore high school's athletic program.