Three Powell Middle School students had the opportunity to participate in the state MathCounts competition on Thursday, April 7.

Eighth graders Katarina Reitz, Natalie Black and Melissa Merritt placed in the competition of 19 students from around the state. Merritt placed 10th, Black placed 12th and Reitz placed 13th.

“The test is very challenging. The girls performed very well at the state competition,” coach Dale Estes said. “If they were able to compete as a team, I think they could have placed in the top three overall.”

This was the first time all three girls had competed at state. Unlike years past, only individuals were allowed to compete due to the virtual nature of the competition.

“We were in MathCounts in sixth and seventh grade, but the farthest we got was the chapter competition,” Reitz said. 

The state competition is traditionally in person, but as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been online for the past two years. 

The competition proved difficult, but the girls enjoyed the challenge. 

“[My favorite part was] probably looking at some of the target round problems and my brain dying,” Black said. “They were insane on my brain.”

Reitz and Merritt agreed they enjoyed the race-against-the-clock style of the competition, although Reitz said “My brain definitely melted on some of those questions.” 

The girls did not totally miss out on a memorable state experience. They enjoyed pizza and root beer floats brought by Black and fresh baked cookies, courtesy of MathCounts coach Necole Hanks. Black said, “It was a bit of a party.”

Reitz and Black plan to go with Powell High School teachers Greg Stenlund and Troy Hildebrand to the Wolsborn-Drazovich Memorial Math Contest.