Nick Matchen
| Nick Matchen | |
| |
| Noted subjects | Literature, Pop Culture |
| Current college | Indiana University (2007-pres) |
| Past colleges | None |
| High school | New Trier (2004-2007) |
| Stats | HDWhite • NAQT |
Nick "the Hat" Matchen is a former player and question writer. He played for New Trier and briefly for Indiana, and he co-foudned Aegis Questions.
High School Career
Matchen spent his high school days at New Trier in Winnetka, Illinois, and was a member of the 2007 State Championship team. Teaming up with Carlo Angiuli, Matchen helped lead the Trevians to three regional titles, two sectional crowns, and the aforementioned state championship, as well as the 2007 Illinois NAQT State Qualifier, and a second place finish in the 2007 Masonic State tournament. Nick was the high scorer at the NAQT State Qualifier. He also helped lead New Trier to their then-highest finish ever at the HSNCT, that of 13th in 2007.
In 2007, Matchen was named to both the All Sectional and Second Team All State Teams.
Former Maine South Coach Tom Egan named Angiuli and Matchen the "New Trier Twins," not only because of their team's success, but because of their involvement in scholastic bowl as a whole. They, in fact, are not twins, and do not otherwise resemble one another, though they continued their friendship and teammate status beyond high school.
Opinions on Team's Play at the 2007 HSNCT
"We played well." (source: 2007 HSNCT Documentary Teaser)
College Career
Matchen and Angiuli briefly started a program at Indiana during 2007-08, their freshman year. In March 2008, the team took 2nd at the Matt Cvijanovich Memorial Novice Tournament, finishing behind a Lawrence team led by Greg Peterson, a rival from their high school days when Greg attended Maine South. The team more or less faded out after that year.
Further Quizbowl Involvement
The New Trier Varsity Tournament is the brainchild of Matchen, who wanted to host a tournament when he was in high school. Of course, he recruited Angiuli to the cause. With help from coach David Reinstein and teammate Ed Tsai, the two planned and wrote the questions for the entire tournament. Matchen has been in charge of sending out invitations in addition to other jobs. At the first such tournament in 2005, together with friend and Loyola Academy alum Matt Laird, the New Trier Twins for the first time announced to the public their intention to found Aegis Questions.
Nick was a prolific writer, especially in the areas of literature and pop culture. He also attended ACE Camp in 2005 and 2006.