For the first time since 2015, the Claremore High School Academic Team has brought home the State Championship—securing the #1 ranking in Oklahoma’s 5A division after years of dedication and near victories.
The team’s journey to the top has been years in the making. This historic achievement follows seven multiple runner-up finishes and nine championships, with CHS consistently proving to be a dominant force in the Academic Bowl circuit over the past 31 years.
Coach Drew Cummings, who has led the team for the past four years, described the moment as "the most stressful professional situation I have ever been involved with," but when the final points were tallied, "I was just so happy for our players and their families. They know how hard these students work, and 5A is a very tough field to compete in."
Defeating Top Competition
This victory is even more impressive because several competing teams were private and charter schools, which often have selective admission processes and additional academic resources. CHS went head-to-head with these teams, proving that grit, teamwork, and dedication can overcome any challenge.
Academic Bowl competitions are intense, featuring four rounds of trivia covering a vast range of topics - including science, literature, mathematics, history, current events, and even pop culture (with NASCAR appearing more often than expected!). The CHS team navigated high-pressure moments, including a sudden-death tiebreaker against Classen SAS, showcasing their quick thinking and deep knowledge.
Senior Campbell Crum, who played a crucial role in securing the title, admitted that he wasn’t sure they would win until the last 30 seconds. "It was great going out on a win," he said. Nathan Howard, a standout freshman, delivered a perfect 10-for-10 performance in a critical lightning round, while Christian Holland’s knowledge of the periodic table helped secure victory in the final match.
Dedication & Preparation
Success didn’t happen overnight. The Academic Team meets regularly, competing in conference matches and preparing through in-depth studies of common academic topics. A dedicated Academic Bowl class during the fall has been a game-changer, providing structured time to sharpen their skills.
Senior Caden Kreps reflected on the team’s work ethic: "The determination of all of our players to make it happen; the countless hours our team and coach have poured into practicing are how this was possible - how we won. We wouldn’t have made it without each team member contributing."
More Than Just a Win
For the players, this victory is about more than a championship; it’s about teamwork, resilience, and a shared passion for learning. Christian Holland summed it up best: "It was amazing, and I carry my medal everywhere for fun now."
As Claremore Public Schools continues to emphasize academic excellence and innovation, the success of the Academic Team serves as a powerful reminder of what students can achieve with grit, purpose, innovation, excellence, community, and a love of learning.
Team Members - Caden Fox, Nate Howard, Campbell Crum, Kizer Ballard, Elena Howard, Emma Howard, Gabe Holmberg, Christian Holland, Caden Kreps, Jaiden Kerstetter, Beckett Schmidt and Coach Drew Cummings