Cowley College Quiz Bowl Team Finishes 8th at National Championship

The Cowley College Collegiate Quiz Bowl team delivered an impressive performance at the 2026 National Academic Quiz Tournaments (NAQT) Community College Championship Tournament, finishing 8th in the nation after entering the competition as the 10th seed. The tournament was held in Rosemont, Illinois, near Chicago, and featured 24 top community college teams from across the country.

Representing Cowley College were Eli Hubble, Rawson Ray, Jimmy Ball, and Andrew Allen, who competed across a wide range of academic subjects, including geology, chemistry, history, art, literature, and poetry. Their strong performance throughout the tournament showcased the team’s dedication, preparation, and teamwork.

A standout performance came from Eli Hubble, who earned individual recognition by finishing 10th overall out of 104 competitors. Even more impressively, Hubble ranked 3rd among freshmen at the tournament, highlighting the team's strong potential in future competitions.

For the first time, NAQT recorded gameplay during the national tournament for publication on YouTube. Cowley’s team was featured in two recorded matches, including a round in which they earned a victory. The recordings are expected to be released this summer, giving fans and supporters an opportunity to watch the team in action.

While in the Chicago area, the team also took advantage of several educational opportunities. They visited the Field Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago, where instructor Mark Flickinger continued discussions related to the material he teaches in his art history class. On the return trip to Kansas, the group stopped at Cahokia Mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located east of St. Louis, further enriching the academic experience of the trip.

Cowley’s Quiz Bowl team will return to competition on April 17–18 at Salina Area Technical College for the Kansas State Championship, hosted by Salina Tech President Gregory Nichols, a former Cowley math instructor and quiz bowl coach. The Tigers will look to capture first place at the state tournament for the second consecutive year.

Fans can view the full national championship results online:

Team Standings Here.
Individual Rankings Here.
Individual Awards Here.

Cowley College congratulates the team on an outstanding national showing and looks forward to their continued success this season. 

Hunter Ferguson | Integrated Communications Specialist
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
hunter.ferguson@cowley.edu