Morgantown High School Defends Championship Title Four Years in a Row

Charleston, W.Va. – Morgantown High School (Monongalia County) was named the 2026 Academic Showdown Grand Champion today during the season finale at the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston. This win marks their fourth consecutive championship title. Huntington High School (Cabell County) was named the runner-up.
 
Members of the first- and second-place teams received technology courtesy of Centegix and Advantage Technology, and the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) awarded grants to each team in support of their efforts in preparing for the Showdown.
 
Teams will receive the following based on placement:

• First place: Each team member received an electronic device; a $1,000 grant to the team
• Second place: Each team member received an electronic device; a $500 grant to the team
• Third-Twelfth place: A $100 grant to the team

Dash Carey-Squire from Huntington High School received the Most Valuable Player award—a prize featuring a Dell laptop—for his consistent performance throughout the competition along with his contribution to his team’s points.
 
Additionally, five students were named to the All-Academic team, with each member receiving a plaque commemorating the honor. This team is comprised of five players who displayed sportsmanship and scholarly leadership throughout the finale:

• Isaac Boyce, Bridgeport High School
• William Northey, Bridgeport High School
• Bear Fuller, Hurricane High School
• Lucille Dahle, Morgantown High School
• Ethan Liu, Morgantown High School

Since January, the WVDE has hosted 52 teams from 29 counties across 6 regional competitions around the state. The Showdown remains one of the nation’s largest high school academic match-up style competitions to use National Academic Quiz Tournament questions. Established in 2022, this competition was created to encourage schools and community members to celebrate academic performance at the same level as athletic programs.
 
Throughout this season, students in Grades 9-12 have showcased their mastery of knowledge in various academic disciplines and pop culture references.
 
First- and second-place teams from each regional competition include:

“I’m so proud of how our team has come together to represent Morgantown High and the larger West Virginia academic community,” said Morgantown High School Captain Lucille Dahle. “I’m really excited to come back next year and see how good everyone can be.”

“It’s my fourth year here, and we’ve never gone all the way—we came close. I’m glad I’m with a great group of friends for this achievement. The Academic Showdown is a great way to get students engaged,” said Huntington High School Team Captain Dash Carey-Squire. “I love my teammates, and I’m proud to represent Huntington High, our students, my coach, and principal.”
 
“Year after year, I am inspired by the scholarly enthusiasm of our students and educators  throughout the 2026 Academic Showdown season. They take this competition very seriously, and they invest an incredible amount of time in their preparation," said State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt. “The Academic Showdown is a reminder of how learning that extends beyond the classroom can offer impactful and meaningful experiences for our students."
 
The regional competitions at partner colleges and universities provided students with a glimpse into student life and on-campus facilities, offering a deeper look into post-secondary opportunities in West Virginia.
 
Part 1 and Part 2 of the recorded Showdown stream can be viewed on YouTube courtesy of West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB).
 
The Showdown is a partnership between the WVDE, the West Virginia Department of Tourism, WVPB, and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
 
Event photos can be viewed in the WVDE’s Flickr album.