Nearly 200 take part in annual high school math competition

Fifty teams from 21 high schools contended for scholarships and cash prizes at the 43^rd annual High School Mathematics Competition hosted by Trine University on Wednesday, Jan. 31.

A total of 197 students, split almost evenly between elementary and advanced divisions, took part in the event. High schools from Indiana, Ohio and Michigan were represented.

The competition consisted of individual and team events for students, with first through third places recognized in both categories. Cash awards were given to the teachers of the top three teams.

Teams from Northridge High School in Middlebury, Indiana, took the top two places. A team consisting of Joey Garberick, Matthew Sheridan, Drew Seegert and Joshua Belmont won first place, earning $3,000 Trine scholarships for each member and a $1,000 cash award for teacher Sam Powell.

A team made up of Andrew Ostarander, Garrett Rodino, Sofia Gladun and Melissa Weaver earned second-place honors, resulting in another $500 cash award for Powell.

Garberick also was the individual winner in the advanced category and was awarded a $5,000 scholarship to Trine. Rodino finished third in the advanced category, and Belmont was third in the elementary category.

Anthony Bass from Warsaw High School placed first in the individual elementary category.

Ziming Fang from Saint Joseph High School in South Bend, Indiana, placed second in the advanced category, and Elijah Hales from Westview High School in Emma, Indiana, placed second in the elementary category.

Saint Joseph also took third place in team honors, with a team consisting of Tomas Aguilar-Fraga, Bingrui “Ray” Xiao, Nicholas Andrysiak and Joshua Cowden. Teacher Brett Goodrich received a $250 cash prize.

Photos by Dean Orewiler