Twenty-Five High Schools Participate in Annual Academic Olympiad at USU

LOGAN – Utah State University welcomed 225 students from more than two dozen Northern Utah high schools to the Logan campus on Jan. 22 for the 2026 Academic Olympiad.

“The Academic Olympiad held at Utah State University gave students from Northern Utah an opportunity to show how much they know and their high degree of academic skill. Students from the Northern Utah Curriculum Consortium schools demonstrated their knowledge of math, social studies, science and language arts,” said Max Longhurst, professional practice associate professor and USU Northern Utah Curriculum Consortium representative.

Students concluded the day with a competitive Battle for Olympus, resulting in multiple rounds of tie-breaking questions to finally resolve the award of second and third place. The individual student competition demonstrated academic excellence with razor-thin differences often determining a winner by only one question, according to Longhurst.

“Congratulations to all the students, coaches and schools for participating in an event that honors high school junior and seniors for their academic achievements,” Longhurst said.

Longhurst thanked the USU Concurrent Enrollment office, the Office of the Registrar and the School of Teacher Education and Leadership for assisting with event coordination and logistical planning, helping ensure a smooth and successful experience for participating students and schools.

Students from the 25 schools demonstrated their academic skills by participating in both individual and team events. High school juniors and seniors competed in timed assessments in the four content areas. Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to top-scoring individuals and teams, and trophies were presented to those who placed in the top three in each category.

The collaboration between the Northern Utah Curriculum Consortium and USU began in 1985. This partnership has continued to honor the academic skills of Northern Utah high school students.

Academic Olympiad Awards

Math Individual:

1st Place: Soren Johnson of Bountiful High School.

2nd Place: Grant Conley of Sky View High School.

3rd Place: Ezra Jones of Davis High School.

Social Studies Individual:

1st Place: Annabelle Smith of Murray High School.

2nd Place: Erika Berge of Murray High School.

3rd Place: Ezra Jones of Davis High School.

Science Individual:

1st Place: Madden Hebdon of Logan High School.

2nd Place: Soren Johnson of Bountiful High School.

3rd Place: Harrison Fowers of Farmington High School.

Language Arts Individual:

1st Place: Lorelei Bennett of Syracuse High School.

2nd Place: Ezra Jones of Davis High School.

3rd Place: Aelinor Reid of Bountiful High School.

Individual Total Points Overall:

1st Place: Ezra Jones of Davis High School.

2nd Place: Annabelle Smith of Murray High School.

3rd Place: Erika Berge of Murray High School.

Team Awards:

Math Team:

1st Place: Davis High School.

2nd Place: Farmington High School.

3rd Place: Woods Cross High School.

Social Studies Team:

1st Place: Farmington High School.

2nd Place: Murray High School.

3rd Place: Bountiful High School.

Science Team:

1st Place: Davis High School.

2nd Place: Murray High School .

3rd Place: Farmington High School.

Language Arts Team:

1st Place: Murray High School.

2nd Place: Viewmont High School.

3rd Place: Farmington High School.

Battle for Olympus:

1st Place: Ridgeline High School.

2nd Place: Logan High School.

3rd Place: Sky View High School.

Total Team Points Overall:

1st Place: Farmington High School.

2nd Place: Murray High School.

3rd Place: Davis High School.