“Mathletes” use their knowledge in weekend competition

Posted on February 4, 2017
Junior high students demonstrated their proficiency in algebra, geometry and other math skills during Saturday's MATHCOUNTS competition at Chiddix Junior High School. (WJBC photo/Greg Halbleib)
Junior high students demonstrated their proficiency in algebra, geometry and other math skills during Saturday’s MATHCOUNTS competition at Chiddix Junior High School. (WJBC photo/Greg Halbleib)

By Greg Halbleib

NORMAL – The area’s top middle school “mathletes” demonstrated their knowledge during Saturday’s annual MATHCOUNTS competition at Chiddix Junior High School.

About 60 students from eight schools solved brain teasers in algebra, probability, statistics and geometry. Coordinator Kevin Hannel said the questions were not easy.

“There’s a lot of the problems that I’m sure I would have some troubles with,” Hannel, an engineer, said. “They do a fantastic job.”

The local event was organized by the Bloomington Area Chapter of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers.

“As engineers, we use a lot of math and study a lot of math,” Hannel said. “We like to make sure that we can keep the junior high students engaged and keep them moving along in that path.”

Matthias Culbertson of Thomas Metcalf School was the top individual and Ved Kommalapati of Chiddix won the final round. Teams from Chiddix, Metcalf and Bloomington Junior High School advanced to state competition on March 4 in Lisle.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].

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