Hiland finishes second at TCESC Academic Challenge after tiebreaker

The question is: Which school lost a title by tiebreaker in the 2026 Tri-County Educational Service Center Academic Challenge at Triway High School Saturday, Jan. 10?

The answer is the Hiland Hawks.

Despite defeating eventual varsity champion Black River in the day’s final match — oddly enough, one that went into overtime to determine a victor — the Hawks had to settle for the silver medal and runner-up trophy based on the first tiebreaker, that being total points scored, where Black River correctly answered 115 questions on the day compared to Hiland’s 108.

Still, it was a banner day for the Hiland quartet of captain Max Jones, Chase Coblentz, Joel Leinbach and Isaac Thomas, who came through time and again to finish 6-1 on the day, losing only to a Northwestern team that took home gold in the combined varsity and junior varsity effort.

In a day that featured each varsity team playing seven games against the TCESC slate of Black River, Northwestern, Chippewa, Norwayne, Hiland, Triway, Hillsdale, Rittman and Waynedale, the fact that the title came down to the final game was exciting.

“That was a little intense,” Coblentz said of the final match with Black River, knowing everything was on the line.

“We’ve been here all day, and it felt really good to pull out a win against a team that is really, really good, like Black River,” Jones said. “Then, to go down the sudden-death road to determine a winner in the match was even more harrowing.”

It was a difficult pill for the Hawks to swallow, knowing that while both teams went 6-1 on the day and they had beaten Black River head-to-head, they still had to settle for second, but it was the experience of doing well that the team members focused on when it was all over.

Coblentz said the Tri-County event is one of two local competitions they focus on, the other being the Inter-Valley Conference championship, an honor in which the Hawks are defending this year.

“It’s kind of a bummer that we beat Black River head-to-head but lost by points, but it is what it is,” Coblentz said. “They are a great team. We still had a great day, and we had a lot of fun.”

Black River senior Stryker Charlton, who, along with classmates Josh Adkins and Connor Jobe has been on the varsity team for four years (the fourth team member Bob Dieter is a sophomore), said enjoying finding success together is special.

Adkins said being together so long has made this venture worthwhile.

“The lightheartedness and team unity we have helps,” Adkins said. “For better or worse, we talk a lot more than most teams."

Jobe added that there is a shared compassion between not just teammates but everyone competing in an academic challenge, which means it is going to be more enjoyable when everyone comes together.

Winning is always important, but competing hard and doing one’s best is always something that each team promotes.

“Obviously, we all want to win, but the kids are here for the most part to compete and to have fun,” said Kristen Champan, Triway team coach and host of the event. “What we always see is really great sportsmanship and wonderful camaraderie between the teams.”

Academic Challenge does present a different type of competition, where brawn is replaced by brains, and just like any sport, nerves must be put aside to perform well under intense pressure.

It is also, as Chapman said, a great way to build friendships, whether within the team ranks or with teens from other schools, which happens on a regular basis as the teams meet in competition.

Karen O’Hare of TCESC, which organized the event, said it is refreshing to see the way teens come together and enjoy competing in a friendly way.

"Not everybody’s forte is in the athletic realm, and this gives kids a chance to compete, and they make a lot of friends in the process,” O’Hare said. “I’m always so impressed with the way everyone here is so helpful to step up to help in any way possible, and the kids are so conscientious and kind to one another. They truly want to see each other succeed while at the same time they want to win.”

She thanked Triway High School for hosting the event and said this proved to be another joyful day of competition in the best possible way.

During the award ceremony, she praised each team and all the participants for creating a great atmosphere and using their gifts to create a rewarding day.

“We all want to win,” O’Hare said. “Who doesn’t like to win. But I thank you all for your great sportsmanship. I thank our coaches, our moderators and everyone who stepped up to make this a success.”

Black River, Hiland and Northwestern took gold, silver and bronze, respectively, in the varsity competition. Northwestern captured first place in the junior varsity action, followed by Chippewa and Rittman, while Northwestern won the combined trophy for varsity and JV.