Gilmour AcademyAcademic Challenge Team Defeats University School and Westlake High School in Season Championship

Gilmour Academy's Academic Challenge team capped off a remarkable season with a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the championship match, earning the title of Season 56 champions. In a competition that aired on Saturday, May 24, the Gilmour Academy Lancers triumphed over University School and Westlake in a nail-biting final round that showcased their poise, knowledge and calmness under pressure.

Gilmour earned its spot in the championship after an impressive March performance in which the team scored 705 points — the third-highest score of the entire season — edging out Copley 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 Gilmour Head of School Kathy Kenny. “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.”

D’Angelo, Miller and Wu graduated from Gilmour Academy on Sunday, May 25. This fall, D’Angelo will head to Princeton University, where he plans to study computer science. Miller will attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he will major in chemical engineering. Wu will study biochemistry at the University of Chicago. Team alternate Thomas Daly ’27, of Reminderville, will be a junior at Gilmour this fall.