Gilmour Academy's Academic Challenge team capped off its season with a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the championship match, earning them the title of Season 56 champions.
In a competition that aired on May 24 on News 5 Cleveland, the Gilmour Academy Lancers triumphed over University School and Westlake High School in a nail-biting final round that showcased their poise, knowledge and calmness under pressure.
Gilmour earned its spot in the championship after a March performance in which the team scored 705 points — the third-highest score of the entire season — edging out Copley High School by just five points in a fierce qualifying match.
In the championship round, the Lancers got off to a strong start by correctly answering the first two questions, but soon found themselves trailing in third place, 130 points behind University School as the final round began.
With just 16 seconds left on the clock, Gilmour’s team — composed of Vincent D’Angelo ’25, of Concord; Ian Miller ’25, of Gates Mills; and Michael Wu ’25, of Broadview Heights — surged ahead, correctly answering eight of the 13 final-round questions and securing a thrilling victory for the Lancers.
“We are incredibly proud of our team’s persistence, intellect and composure throughout their matches,” said Kathy Kenny, Gilmour head of school. “Their win reflects not only academic excellence, but also the values we cultivate at Gilmour — critical thinking, collaboration and the courage to rise to the challenge.”
Vincent, Ian and Michael graduated from Gilmour on May 25. This fall, Vincent will head to Princeton University, where he plans to study computer science. Ian will attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he will major in chemical engineering and Michael will study biochemistry at the University of Chicago.
Team alternate Thomas Daly ’27, of Reminderville, will be a junior at Gilmour this fall.
Gilmour Academy is an independent, Catholic, coeducational, college-preparatory school in the Holy Cross tradition. It educates students in grades K-12 in its Lower, Middle and Upper School, and has a boarding program available for students in grades 9-12. The school also offers a Montessori program for students ages 18 months to preschool.