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The
NABQT Interview: Lindsi Creel
By Chad L. R. Faubert It’s normal to seek a
bit of an insight into the mind of those who excel in Bible Quizzing, and are
considered prolific quizzers by their peers.
What follows is a conversation with Lindsi Creel from Dequincy,
Louisiana. Lindsi has been a senior
quizzer for 6 years, and her legacy comprises two North American Bible Quiz
Tournament (NABQT) Highest Scoring
Individual trophies, and three top four team
finishes, including a National Championship in 1999. The questions are meant
to capture the full realm of Bible Quizzing, and the answers are heartfelt and
honest, with no intention at self-promotion. This interview was completed on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 (mid-week). CF
How
have you been doing this week in a personal sense? LC This week has been exciting and it’s been a success for my quiz team no matter how the outcome, except for the cold I got coming up north. CF Have you
been having a good hair week? Happy with your ensembles?
Do you have a banquet dress already purchased for Friday? LC With a perm it’s impossible to have a bad hair week—a little water and mousse can fix anything. My clothes are mostly new, so yes, it’s fun wearing them. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, it (banquet dress) wasn’t purchased, my mom made it for me. I liked a pair of shoes, so I had my mom make a dress to match them. CF At the present time
you are no less than third for the 2001 NABQT in Louisville—how do you feel
concerning this? Have you met your
expectations? LC Well, I think considering the number of talented teams, it’s an honor, especially considering that I’m the only member of my team who has participated at an NABQT. Yes, in a way - of course, you always want to achieve first place, but it’s a building process. Two of our girls didn’t even know what a buzzer system was; they thought you just memorized verses, so they were a little surprised at our first practice. CF
You have a fairly inexperienced surrounding cast with you this year, how
has this affected your experience this NABQT? More excitement or less
invigorating? LC Definitely more exciting. It’s inspiring to me to see them experience all the new things. Their excitement makes it exciting for me. I’m also trying to be an example to them, so I have to watch my actions. CF
Now you have been what most people, myself included, would
call very successful at the NABQT level over the past few years.
You finished first two years ago, second place last year, and are in line
for at least a top three finish this year, how do you prepare yourself for this
level of excellence? LC You study and study and study. You have to be willing to put in the time to be prepared, then you have to pray and it will be in God’s hands. You have to be willing to receive what God has to give you—whether 2 losses or first place. Also, experience has a lot to do with it, after that there’s nothing else you can do. CF What is your state of mind or mindset when you come to the NABQT each year? LC The main thing is realizing that you’re quizzing for God, and not for the expectations of other people. At first it’s exciting, but the next year if you’re not careful it can put pressure on you to live up to those expectations once again. Know what your purpose is, and know that it is all for God. Every year it is my goal to be quizzing at 4:15 on Friday afternoon, front and center. (Interviewer’s Note: The finals are held at 4:15 on Friday each year.) CF Numerous young
people can easily fall into the trap of getting to the NABQT, and then filling
their time with fun items instead of staying focused on the matter at hand?
Do you ever find yourself being distracted with other issues? LC Actually I haven’t, because I’ve always worked so hard that I didn’t want to let frivolous matters affect my quizzing. I do enjoy talking to people I never see, but you have to know how to stay focused when doing those things. It’s a mental thing. I really don’t have a way of telling you with a 1-2-3 step, but it’s just a determination you have to have from the beginning of the week. CF Who would you say
has impacted you the most in your quiz career to this date, and why? LC Jonathan
Walker—he’s been an
inspiration to me throughout my quiz career.
He’s always had faith in me, encouraged me, as well as being able to
relate to my situation of attempting to repeat at the NABQT and dealing with the
pressure. CF How does it feel to have your mom as your coach?
How do you interact with her when it comes to quizzing? LC I think it’s an advantage because I have her at home to work with me. She dedicates numerous hours to help me be the best quizzer I can be. I have to be cautious and not treat her any less than I would any other coach. I think it’s made us closer because we spend so much time together. CF In your opinion, who has been the greatest quizzer ‘in the sense of quizzing as a game’ of all time? LC Jonathan Abdalla and Jonathan Walker (The interviewer was not mentioned, but does not take offense.) CF Now I know you still have another year of eligibility, but
after your quizzing career is completed, how do you foresee yourself being
involved in this wonderful ministry? LC I hope to be a coach, at least one day. I’ll definitely still come and visit some of the tournaments. CF Has this been an easy interview? LC Yeah, pretty much, because I can talk about quizzing for ever, because so much of my life has been dedicated to it. Thanks Chad, I love you! (The interviewer must maintain the integrity of the interview by writing what was spoken during the interview.)
CF Thank you very much for your time and openness Lindsi, and I truly wish you all the best this week. Lindsi and her team quizzed on Thursday at noon, but
fell one quiz short of her 4:15 p.m. Friday goal. However, Lindsi did capture
her second NABQT Highest Scoring Individual trophy, and her and her teammates
finished third in North America. So, all in all, not a bad NABQT. ninetyandnine.com
©
2001, Chad L. R. Faubert --------- |
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