Austin Peay GeoClub makes history with back-to-back Geoconclave championships

By: Megan Simpson October 27, 2026

Austin Peay State University's GeoClub poses with their trophies after winning both the Overall Championship and Rock Bowl titles at the 2026 Tennessee Geoconclave, held at Big Ridge State Park. This marks the second consecutive year APSU has swept both titles. 
 
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — For the first time in the four-decade history of the Tennessee Geoconclave, Austin Peay State University's GeoClub has captured both the Overall Championship and Rock Bowl titles in consecutive years. 

Ten students from APSU's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences traveled to Big Ridge State Park in late September to compete against teams from Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee Tech, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and the University of Tennessee at Martin. They returned with both trophies for the second straight year. 
 
"We were so excited for them and so proud of them,” said Dr. Kallina Dunkle, professor of geology. “It was great to have myself and four additional faculty and staff join from our department to support our students. They are such a wonderful group of students."   

The victory is especially notable given that last year marked APSU's first Geoconclave appearance since 2019. With just four students competing in 2025, Austin Peay shocked the field by sweeping both titles. This year's larger contingent proved the win was no fluke. 

"I think because of that win last year, we were able to really rally up some troops," said Eli Harrison, a senior double-majoring in biology and earth and environmental sciences (geology) who serves as the club’s secretary. "I love competing. I love the academic rigor, and I like showing up and showing out for Austin Peay.” 
 
Geoconclave is an annual meeting of undergraduate geology and geoscience students from Tennessee colleges and universities, as well as some surrounding states. 

The weekend competition tests students through six technical events — Mineral Identification, Rock Identification, Fossil Identification, Geologic Maps, Pace and Compass, and Environmental/Hydro — as well as non-technical events, including rock hammer throwing and geode rolling. 

Harrison took first place in both Fossil Identification and Pace and Compass. Club President Kian Murphy, also a senior in the earth and environmental sciences geology concentration, earned first place in Environmental/Hydro and third in Geologic Maps. Senior Jadon Addley, also majoring in geology, claimed first in Mineral Identification despite switching events with a teammate the night before. 
 
Outside of the bragging rights that come along with a victory, participants agreed that the overall experience, including the time spent bonding with others in their field of study, was the most valuable takeaway.  

"Competing was fun, but I think being outdoors with friends was the best part about it," Addley said.  

The students credit their success to the department's emphasis on building a comprehensive foundation across all areas of geology.  

"Our professors really do everything in their power to make sure that we, as students and as future scientists, have a well-rounded geologic foundation where we can really apply ourselves in any field of geology," Harrison said.  

At Austin Peay, students are introduced to many areas of geology, rather than specializing. This program structure is beneficial for experiences like Geoconclave, where generalist knowledge comes in handy.  

"The faculty are really the main people responsible for this, because they’re doing their best to teach us,” Murphy said. “They're working hard, working with us one-on-one, trying to make sure we really understand the concepts." 

That knowledge served the students well during the competition, and they were also able to enjoy community-building and exploration ahead of the Rock Bowl, a buzzer-style quiz tournament that closes the event. 

APSU's Rock Bowl team of Addley, Harrison, Murphy and Kyra James defeated opponents in three rounds to claim the title. 

In addition to competing, APSU students participated in a field trip led by Dr. Amy Robinson from UT Knoxville, exploring Cambrian and Mississippian rock formations and examining evidence of the Appalachian orogeny. 

Dunkle noted that faculty from other institutions commented on the Austin Peay students' helpfulness and good sportsmanship throughout the weekend. 

"They were great about cheering for everybody," she said. "Some of those schools just didn't have a lot of people to cheer each other on. I think that's the other thing, we’re not just proud of their accomplishments, but just proud of who they are and their contributions and community.” 

The GeoClub meets biweekly and welcomes students from all majors interested in learning more. For more information, visit apsu.edu/ees/geoclub. 

“It’s not just for people that like to look at rocks and stuff, but it really is open to anybody that just wants to know a little bit more about the earth … what shapes it and the history of our world,” Harrison said.  

About the Austin Peay College of STEM 

The College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) provides studies for students in the areas of agriculture, astronomy, aviation sciences, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth and environmental sciences, engineering physics, engineering technology, information technology, mathematics, medical laboratory sciences, radiologic sciences and physics. Its outstanding, discipline-based programs are student-centered and designed to prepare students for responsible positions at all levels of research, industry, education, medicine and government. Follow the College of STEM on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.  

2026 Geoconclave Results 
Austin Peay State University 

Overall Awards 

• GeoConclave Overall Champions — Austin Peay State University 

• Rock Bowl Champions — Austin Peay State University 

Technical Events 

Non-Technical Events 

Rock Bowl Team (1st Place) 

Jadon Addley, Eli Harrison, Kian Murphy, Kyra James