LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 14, 2025) – The University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics Excel team has achieved remarkable success, culminating in a #3 world ranking in the Microsoft World Excel Collegiate Competition. This achievement comes after months of dedication and countless hours of practice invested by the team members.
The journey to the world stage began in January 2024 with a group of 16 finance students, recruited with the assistance of internal marketing efforts within Gatton, forming a team to compete in the Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge.
Under the guidance of faculty members, Leonce Bargeron, PNC Associate Professor, and John Saliling, lecturer of finance, the team committed to weekly practice sessions — refining their Excel skills and tackling challenging problems set by the competition organizers.
Their hard work paid off in April 2024 when they traveled to the University of Tennessee for the Excel on Rocky Top competition. There, the UK team competed against nine other teams from six different schools and emerged victorious — sweeping both the team and individual championships. This win secured them a spot in the World Championship, held in December 2024 in Las Vegas.
The World Championship, streamed live from the HyperX E-Sports Arena, brought together top collegiate Excel competitors from around the globe. Finalists traveled from countries such as Austria, Argentina, Australia, Poland, and Madagascar.
The UK team — composed of Colin Albrecht, Joseph Delgado and Andrew Durant — faced fierce competition in the semi-finals, where only four out of 14 teams advanced to the final round. The team secured a spot in the final four and ultimately claimed the No. 3 spot in the world.
“I never expected to come this far, but I’ll always remember the fire I had within me during this journey. That drive is something I want to carry forward, chasing that same feeling in other important experiences in my life, especially as I begin my career.” - Andrew Durant
“UK is competitive in many areas, such as sports, arts, and the academic arena. UK Gatton Excel team is contributing to UK’s winning tradition and adding to its laurels in the finance arena” -John Saliling
Durant, a finance major with minors in computer science (Pigman College of Engineering) and Business Analytics (College of Business and Economics), and Tristan Harbold, a finance and mathematics (College of Arts and Sciences) major with a minor in computer science, qualified for the individual competition.
Out of 64 competitors, only 12 advanced to the finals, including Durant and Harbold. Durant delivered an exceptional performance, securing the No. 4 world ranking and becoming the highest-ranked U.S. collegiate competitor. He narrowly missed out on a top-three finish, falling just three points short (601 to 598) in a dramatic final 30 seconds. Harbold also had a strong showing, finishing with the No. 11 world ranking.
“Earning 1st place in the U.S. and representing the University of Kentucky on a global stage was a dream come true, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of Prof. Saliling and Dr. Bargeron. Their guidance and encouragement throughout this journey were invaluable, and I can’t thank them enough for believing in me.” - Andrew Durant
Looking ahead, the UK Gatton Excel team plans to expand, recruit freshman talent and continue building on the university’s momentum in future competitions.
“It is only the first year of the team formation, but we hope to build a lasting team tradition and continue the winning momentum” -John Saliling
Those interested in joining the team or learning more, can contact John Saliling (john.saliling@uky.edu).
