Source: Heather Wagoner, 785-826-2917, hwagoner@k-state.edu

Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011

MATHCOUNTS COMPETITION ADDS UP TO VICTORY FOR MANHATTAN, NEWTON AND SALINA TEAMS

SALINA -- Middle school teams from Manhattan, Newton and Salina came up with the winning equations for victory at the regional MATHCOUNTS competition Feb. 5 at Kansas State University at Salina. The teams now advance to the state contest.

MATHCOUNTS is a national competition that promotes middle school mathematics achievement in every U.S. state and territory. Teams of mathletes use problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to advance in the competition, which includes oral and written rounds.

Earning the right to compete at the Kansas MATHCOUNTS championship March 5, also at K-State Salina, are Susan B. Anthony Middle School, Manhattan, which placed first; Salina South Middle School, second place; and Chisholm Middle School, Newton, third place. The three teams will take on other state regional MATHCOUNTS winners.

In addition, six students are advancing to the state competition for having the highest individual scores. Mathletes from Manhattan's Anthony Middle School took the top five individual honors. They include Reid Erdwien, first place; Soichiro Hiromasa, second place; Joshua Schwartz, third place; Linda Liu, fourth place; and A.J. Pablo, fifth place. Baily Ramos, Salina South Middle School, earned sixth place.

State competition winners will advance to the Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition May 5-8 in Washington, D.C.

The Salina regional competition was conducted by volunteers from the Smoky Valley chapter of the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers.