Morris High School Academic Team wins national title — honors late teammate in emotional journey

The Morris High School Academic Team made history by winning a national academic competition in Chicago — the first team from Oklahoma to ever do so. But behind the victory is a moving story of perseverance, dedication, and honoring a lost teammate.

10 Hours of Practice a Week and a Goal Bigger Than a Trophy

The Morris Academic Team practices up to 10 hours a week outside of regular classes. This year’s competition meant more than just winning — it was about finishing what they started for McKinley McGirt, a teammate who passed away from cancer during the season.

Leading the Charge: Captain Ean Merrill

Senior Ean Merrill, who has been part of the district's quiz bowls since fourth grade, led the team to victory as captain.

“My team does a really good job of staying on task and handling themselves… it’s my job to take input from them, especially during games,” Merrill said.

He described the win as both a joy and a relief, saying:

“There was a secret obligation to do it. I mean, we owed it to McKinley,” Merrill said.

Honoring McKinley McGirt

McKinley's loss was a heartbreaking moment for the team. Just two weeks before the state championship, she passed away. Coach Jeremy Avery said her spirit fueled the team’s determination to push forward.

“We had to have a conversation about whether we even wanted to keep going… Every single one of them knew McKinley would be so mad if we didn’t,” Avery said.

Studying Like Champions

The team prepares for competitions with intense focus. Avery says much of their time is spent reviewing past questions and identifying patterns in the material.

“We’re trying to make sure we’re ready for whatever’s going to be thrown at us,” Avery explained.

A Victory for the Whole Community

Merrill says it felt amazing to see the Morris community rally behind them — especially for an academic competition.

“It’s always really cool to see the community gather around us and be supportive, especially in something you don’t see all the time,” Merrill said.

Making History for Oklahoma

This national title marks the first-ever win for any Oklahoma school in a national Academic Bowl. The Morris School District says it's a major milestone for both the school and the town.