While winter athletics wind down across Okmulgee County, another group of competitors is still buzzing – quite literally – as academic teams from Morris, Beggs and Preston continue stacking championships, regional finishes and state qualifications.
From state runner-up honors against Oklahoma’s largest schools to middle school regional sweeps and Tournament of Champions berths, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the strongest academic seasons in recent memory for county schools.
— Morris High School: Competing with the State’s Elite At Morris Public Schools, the academic team has turned excellence into expectation.
The Morris High School A-Team delivered one of the most impressive performances in program history at the National Academic Quiz Tournaments (NAQT) State Championship. Competing against the largest and most established academic programs in Oklahoma, Morris finished as overall State Runner-Up while earning recognition as the No. 1 small school in the state.
The Eagles compiled a 10-2 record at the tournament, a remarkable feat considering the competition included traditional academic powerhouses. Morris earned scoring victories over programs such as Stillwater High School, Edmond Memorial High School, Yukon High School, and reigning OSSAA 6A state champion Jenks High School.
Their only two losses came against Classen School of Advanced Studies, widely regarded as one of the top academic teams in the state and led by one of Oklahoma’s most decorated quiz bowl competitors.
Beyond team accolades, individual honors followed.
Keyton and Gage were both named to the NAQT All-State Team, placing them among the best academic competitors in Oklahoma this season. In addition, Keyton received the McKinley McGirt Sportsmanship Award – a distinction that recognizes not only knowledge and quick recall, but integrity, character and respect for opponents.
The NAQT finish was not an isolated achievement. It capped a dominant state season for Morris High School.
Earlier this year, the Eagles captured their fourth OSSAA state championship, reinforcing their standing as one of Oklahoma’s premier smallschool academic programs. They also claimed another OAAC Froshmore State Championship on Feb. 28, as the Freshman/Sophomore squad went a perfect 7-0 to sweep the field.
That Froshmore title marked the second consecutive championship for the underclassmen squad and the third in the past four years – a sign that the program’s pipeline of talent remains strong.
With multiple state titles already secured and Nationals still on the horizon, Morris continues to elevate the profile of small-school academic competition in Oklahoma.
— Middle School Momentum in Morris The success at Morris extends well beyond the high school level.
The Morris 6th/7th Grade middle school team recently captured the OJABA Regional Championship with an undefeated 4-0 record. The team demonstrated dominance throughout the tournament, putting away three of its four games by the end of the third quarter.
That commanding performance earned them a trip to the state tournament scheduled for April 11 at Dale Schools.
Not long after, Morris’ 7th/8th Grade middle school team followed suit, sweeping regionals with a 3-0 record to secure its own OJABA Regional Championship. That victory punched their ticket to the state tournament set for April 18, also at Dale Schools.
With both middle school teams advancing and the high school program already decorated with state hardware, Morris has firmly established itself as one of the strongest academic communities in the region.
— Beggs Middle School shows grit at Regionals Over at Beggs Public Schools, the middle school academic team demonstrated resilience and competitive grit in a challenging regional tournament.
Seeded fifth entering the Feb. 21 regional meet, Beggs opened the day against third-seeded Preston. The loss dropped them into the consolation bracket early, but the team quickly regrouped.
In round two, Beggs defeated fourth-seeded Prague to keep their season alive. The victory set up a matchup with second-seeded Grove (Shawnee), one of the tournament favorites.
That contest proved to be one of the most exciting matches of the day. Beggs battled Grove to a tie at the end of regulation, forcing a sudden-death question to determine the winner. The high-pressure moment showcased the poise and preparation of the Beggs squad.
Later in the tournament, Beggs faced Preston once again in a rematch. Despite a strong effort, Beggs fell short, ultimately finishing third overall at Regionals – an impressive result considering their initial seeding and the strength of the field.
Though the team season concluded, four Beggs competitors will continue their academic journey at the Tournament of Champions in April. D. Allen, D. Houser, Q. Lee and M. Karbowski will represent Beggs among the state’s top individual competitors.
Their advancement ensures Beggs will still have representation on the academic stage this spring.
— Preston Middle School advances to State At Preston Public Schools, the 7th/8th Grade Academic Team earned a second-place finish at the Feb. 21 Regional Meet, securing a berth in the State Tournament in April.
Under the leadership of Coach Fox, Preston battled through a competitive bracket to earn its state qualification. Their performance not only secured advancement but also contributed to Okmulgee County’s strong representation at the upcoming state meet. -Preston’s run, coupled with Morris’ regional sweeps and Beggs’ Tournament of Champions qualifiers, means Dale Schools will see multiple Okmulgee County teams competing later this spring.
As Nationals approach for Morris and state tournaments loom for several middle school squads, the season is not yet finished. But already, 2026 will be remembered as a banner year for academic teams across the county.
And in classrooms and competition rooms alike, Okmulgee County students continue proving that excellence comes in many forms sometimes announced by the sharp buzz of a quiz bowl button.
