These Avon Lake Students Are Competing For A National Title

AVON LAKE, OH —The term "national championship" evokes images of cut-down nets and throngs of awed spectators. For one group of Avon Lake High students, their bid for a national title has been a bit quieter, if no less inspired.

The Avon Lake High School Math Team has been squaring off with other schools across the country in the Math Madness, single-elimination tournament. Students answer a set of math questions and compete on the basis of who gets the most answers correct. After squeezing out a win in the Sweet 16, the Avon Lake squad is on to the proverbial Elite Eight.

So, who's behind this deep tournament run? And how good is this team exactly?

The answers to those questions are very, very good and a group of "exceptionally strong" juniors and seniors, Avon Lake math teacher Jim Goodman told Patch.

Goodman said that scoring in Math Madness is based on a team's top five scores on a math test. Having even two exceptionally strong performers can make a huge difference, he noted, particularly if there are difficult questions.

"But this past week, out of seven questions, we had one 7, one 6, and then seven kids got a 5. That amount of depth is new for us, and I’m excited about it – partly because our team is stronger for it, but mostly because I love to see so many good kids excited to compete in a math contest," Goodman noted.

The Avon Lake Math Team won its Sweet 16 match-up by a score of 28-26. The squad will rest up this week, for Thanksgiving, before competing with Ann Sobrato High School (located near San Jose, Calif.).

Goodman said Ann Sobrato High's team also scored a 28 in their Sweet 16 contest. He's expecting a tight match-up.

"Any of the teams left are capable of beating anyone else in the bracket, so we’ll need to bring our 'A' game," Goodman said.

We're all rooting for you Math Team. Go get 'em.

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Photos from Avon Lake Schools