Cedar Hill Preparatory School Makes Impressive Debut at 2026 NAQT National Quiz Bowl Tournament

Somerset, NJ — Cedar Hill Preparatory School (CHP) is proud to announce the outstanding performance of its Quiz Bowl team at the 2026 NAQT (National Academic Quiz Tournaments) Championship in Chicago. In the school's first-ever appearance at the national competition, CHP's eight-member team — affectionately dubbed the "Awesome Eight" — distinguished themselves among the nation's most accomplished academic competitors.

The tournament brought together 958 students from across the United States, forming 192 highly competitive teams. To advance to the playoffs, teams were required to secure a minimum of five victories. CHP's students entered the competition facing several seasoned veteran programs, yet demonstrated remarkable resilience and steady improvement with each successive round. By their fourth match, CHP had climbed to 37th place in the overall tournament standings.

The team ultimately finished with a strong 4–4 record, narrowly missing playoff qualification in several closely contested matches, and earned an impressive final ranking of 86th out of 192 teams nationwide. Standout competitor Yajur Subramaniam earned individual recognition, finishing 64th among all participants in the tournament.

Quiz Bowl is a uniquely demanding discipline that requires exceptional teamwork, strategic thinking, and broad academic knowledge — skills that distinguish it from individual academic competitions. CHP's students rose admirably to this challenge in their very first national appearance.

Beyond the competition itself, the experience offered significant value for the program's future. CHP's students were warmly received by many participants they had previously encountered through the International Academic Competitions (IACs), deepening their connection to a vibrant national academic community. Many competing schools bring Quiz Bowl traditions spanning more than two decades, complete with well-developed training pipelines and institutional support.

The school extends its deepest gratitude to coach Ms. Denise Galiano and student assistant Arjun Agrawal for their dedication in preparing the team for this milestone event. Looking ahead to the 2026–27 season, CHP is committed to building a strong, sustainable Quiz Bowl program that will continue to grow and thrive for years to come.