About Us

What is the Wyoming Academic Challenge?

The Wyoming Academic Challenge is a series of academic contests designed to provide high schools in Wyoming with a regular season of academic competition culminating with a state tournament. Scholarships, team trophies or plaques, as well as individual medals are awarded at each contest. In addition, certificates are given for all-state recognition to the top 15 individuals, as selected by the coaches, and plaques/trophies are given to the six all stars who are selected as Team Wyoming to represent the state in an all-star match with Montana in June of each year.
The Wyoming community colleges host the contests from October to April of each school year. Each contest consists of four or five rounds of questions. These questions cover all subject areas. Most of the rounds are oral, but a few rounds are written, depending on the format. Two different formats are used. One format consists of five rounds (four rounds of oral tossup questions and a fifth round of written questions). The other format consists of four oral rounds of tossup/bonus questions. A buzzer system is used to determine which team answers first.
Teams consist of four members from their particular high school. Additional members may be used as substitutes during the contest; however, only four individual awards are presented to the placing teams. Awards are given to the top three schools as well as the top small school (250 or less enrollment) at each competition.
Different team members may be used in different contests throughout the schedule. This allows schools to work around conflicts with other activities but still field a team. A team may participate with less than four members. If a team qualifies for the state finals and has used a number of different students at various meets, the coach will need to decide who will be able to participate in the state tournament. Substitutes are allowed at the state meet, but there is a limit of six members per team.
Each school may enter as many of the six regional contests as it wants as long as there is room. At the regional sites there is a limit of 18 teams per contest due to space and equipment limitations. Entry is on a first-to-register basis. Each school may request a second team and will be allowed a second team if there is a slot available. Teams from the region of the contest will also be given priority consideration.
In order to compete at the state tournament each high school must qualify at one of the regional contests. Three schools (two large schools and one small school) qualify from each regional meet. Each high school is allowed one team at the state finals.

Is your school interested in participating?

We are always excited to bring new Wyoming high schools into this wonderful program! Please look at the rules and registration materials in the "Rules" page. Email the state director, Eric Kestner, at eric.kestner@laramie2.org with any questions or to get your school signed up today!