At the BCS MATHCOUNTS event, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders add up the numbers as the clock counts down. After weeks of daily mental workouts with their math coaches, students from across the six districts recently gathered at BCS Central Services to compete.
“MATHCOUNTS provides a space for students to have fun grappling with some tough problems together with students across the county,” explained Nathan Arvey, BCS Secondary Lead Math Coach. “It’s a great way for them to push their thinking, number sense, and problem solving skills outside of the classroom.”
BCS MATHCOUNTS gives students a taste of the regional event happening Feb. 1 at T.C. Roberson High School. Competitors completed three different tests, starting with the Sprint - a 30 question test taken in 40 minutes. For the Target Test, students receive four pairs of questions with six minutes to complete each set. The Team Test is ten-questions with teams of four students working together for 20 minutes to complete. Teams typically develop a plan in preparation for competition in their after-school math clubs.
“You’ll see students using different strategies,” said Arvey. “Some will divide up problems, or perhaps work together on some of the more difficult problems.”
The results of this year’s BCS MATHCOUNTS include:
Top Individual Achievement
1st Place: Carlos Gaspar Perez, North Buncombe Middle School
2nd Place: Charlie Weaver, North Buncombe Middle School
3rd Place: Lucas McKee, Erwin Middle School
Top Team Achievement
1st Place: A.C. Reynolds Middle School Team A - Finnegan Cramer, Max Heineman, Andrew Holmes, Sam Pass
2nd Place: A.C. Reynolds Middle School Team B - Luke Brown, Rhett Hogan, Eli Stolte, Oliver Van Steinburg
3rd Place: North Buncombe Middle School Team A - Adair Cary, Carlos Gaspar Perez, Ethan Metcalf, Charlie Weaver
8th Grade Excellent Performance
Pierce Besler, Cane Creek Middle School
Adair Cary, North Buncombe Middle School
Pierce Hahn, North Buncombe Middle School
Nicholas Leeson, Cane Creek Middle School
Sam Pass, A.C. Reynolds Middle School
William Whisnant, North Buncombe Middle School
7th Grade Excellent Performance
Finnegan Cramer, A.C. Reynolds Middle School
Tilly Lenell, North Buncombe Middle School
Eli Stolte, A.C. Reynolds Middle School
Brie Sudnik, Owen Middle School
Finn Weiler, Cane Creek Middle School
6th Grade Excellent Performance
Quinn Carmody, North Windy Ridge Intermediate
Jonah Lehman - Owen Middle School
Sam Hettinger - North Windy Ridge Intermediate
Levi Shoup - North Windy Ridge Intermediate
Finnley Nece - Owen Middle School
Violet Vann - A.C. Reynolds Middle School