SUMS Math Competition

Shawnee State University Math Scholarship Competition

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Free Lunch Provided

Registrations are requested by May 5th to help with planning. Day-of registrations will be accepted, but signing up early is recommended.

Register Now

Shawnee State University
940 2nd St | Portsmouth, OH 45662
Campus Map

Compete for Shawnee State University scholarships and prizes totaling more than $50,000!

The competition is open to any 9th – 12th grade student, from any high school (or home school), in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, or Indiana.

Register to Compete

Students and guests are invited to tour campus after the event and visit the historic murals on the Portsmouth flood wall.

Sponsored by Wolfram Research

Wolfram logo

Mr. Ralph Shelton
Adjunct Mathematics Faculty
Office: (740) 351-3032
Cell: (740) 352-3307
rshelton@shawnee.edu

Dr. Phil Blau
Mathematics Department Chair
Office: (740) 351-3443
pblau@shawnee.edu

Submit a Question or Comment

2 Contests: Individual and Team

All students will compete as individuals, and anyone can compete as part of a 4-person team. Anyone wishing to compete in the team competition, but not already registered as part of a team, will be assigned a team until an even number of teams are made.

Individual Competition

Individual competition will be held in the form of a timed pencil and paper written exam. Full-tuition scholarships will be awarded for 1st and 2nd place

  • 1st Place: Full-Tuition SSU Scholarship (Renewable up to 4 years)
  • 2nd Place: Full-Tuition SSU Scholarship (Renewable up to 4 years)

Last Year’s Written Exam (PDF)
Study Materials (PDF)

Team Competition

Team competition will be quiz-bowl tournament style, 4 members per team. Teams can consist of students from the same school, or from different schools. One school can field multiple teams.

Teams compete in a rapid response series of questions. There are two elimination rounds. 

  • 1st Place: $1,750 SSU Scholarship for each team member (Renewable up to 4 years)
Mystery Mathematical Prizes

Additionally, there is a bonus prizes competition, where a problem is displayed during the day and all are encouraged to submit answers. Everyone submitting a correct answer will be entered in drawings for three mystery prizes.

Wolfram Research Prizes

Wolfram logo

10 Mathematica Software Licenses are being awarded at the SUMS competition by our Sponsor Wolfram Research.

8:30–9:30 am Check-in

9:30 am Welcome

10:00–10:45 am Written Exam (all students)

11:00 am –12:00 pm Team Competition (Quiz Bowl)

12:00–12:45 pm Free Lunch – Pizza & Chips (A gluten free option will be available)

12:30 pm Winners Announced – Awards & Bonus Prize Drawings

1:00 pm Buses Load and Depart

1:00 pm Optional: Stay for a Guided Tour of Shawnee and mingle with Shawnee ambassadors in the Math Center

2025 Competition

Individual Competition Winners:
  • 1st Place – Raen Ridgway, Federal Hocking
  • 2nd Place – Garrett Cody, Eastern Local
  • 3rd Place – Lorelei Carver, Portsmouth West
Team Quiz Bowl Competition Winners:

1st Place – Team K, Eastern Local
Team members: Garrett Cody, Jubal Bevins, Carson Salisbury, Xane Runyon

2nd Place – Team AA, St. Joseph Central Catholic
Team members: Alex Gnau, Gavin Simpson, Sophia Rowe, Molly Walker

Bonus Problem Winners:
  • Claire Clinger, Minford
  • Raen Ridgway, Federal Hocking
  • Ryder Pratt, South Point
  • Logan Barrett, Federal Hocking
  • Harper Lewellin, Minford
Wolfram Research Prize Winners:
  • Raen Ridgway, Federal Hocking
  • Garrett Cody, Eastern Local
  • Lorelei Carver, Portsmouth West
  • Jubal Bevins, Eastern Local
  • Carson Salisbury, Eastern Local
  • Xane Runton, Eastern Local
  • Alex Gnau, St. Joseph Central Catholic
  • Gavin Simpson, St. Joseph Central Catholic
  • Molly Walker, St. Joseph Central Catholic
  • Sophia Rowe, St. Joseph Central Catholic
High Schools that attended SUMS 2025
  • St. Joseph Central Catholic
  • Federal Hocking High School
  • Waverly High School
  • Portsmouth High School
  • Dawson-Bryant High School
  • Minford High School
  • South Point High School
  • Eastern Local High School
  • Fairland High School
  • Portsmouth West High School

2024 Competition

Individual Competition Winners:
  • 1st Place – Srihan Malkaram, George Washington H.S. (Charleston WV)
  • 2nd Place – Xinrui Han, Athens H.S.
  • 3rd Place – Aviva Wood, Athens H.S.
Team Quiz Bowl Competition Winners:

1st Place – North Middle Eastern Egyptian Whales, George Washington H.S. (Charleston WV)
Team members: Shrihan Malkaram, Mrithula Premchanth, Anthony Sprouse, Mohamad Sabag

2nd Place – Epsilon, Eastern Local (Pike) H.S.
Team members: Xane Runyun, Carson Salisbury, Jubal Blevins, Dawson Cody

Bonus Problem Winners:

Elijah Montgomery, Eastern Local Schools, Corey Williams, Clay High School, Garrett Cody, Eastern Local Schools, and Kenton Michael, Oak Hill (Ohio) H.S.

High Schools that attended SUMS 2024
  • ​Portsmouth West
  • Eastern Local Pike
  • Federal Hocking
  • Waverly
  • Chillicothe
  • Portsmouth Stem Academy
  • Oak Hill Union Local
  • Rock Hill
  • Wheelersburg
  • Athens
  • Minford
  • George Washington  (Charleston WV)
  • Clay
  • Valley
  • Gallia Academy