AUGUSTA – Students from across the state met in the Augusta Civic Center Tuesday. All of them with one goal to go home champions.
The mathletes were armed with pencils and calculators. They’ve studied all year for this event.
Coordinator Brian Twitchell said “This is the biggest event we have in the State of Maine for academics.”
Like any competitors these teams brought plenty of snacks or brain food. Maybe there is something to that smart food after all.
One student from Stearns High School Cassidy McLeod stated “My mom forced me to be on math team. And she’s forced me to be on math team every year. But now we get bonus points so I’m just like well, might as well do it.”
Prepping for the competition is similar to getting ready for the big game.
“We just go over the different type of things we’ll be doing.” added student Logan LaJoie of Poland Regional High School.
And, yes,the scientifically inclined students still have a superstition or two.
Stearns student Audrey Dunstan said “Yeah, I mean mine’s not anything like crazy, but I always have to have a certain type of pencil.”
Others have their own pre-game rituals. For some, a brain ready to spring into action is critical.
Another Poland student Trebor Hollingshead said “The night before I just try to get enough rest.”
And while nobody is sure if it gives you an advantage, there were plenty of sports drinks on hand, unlike sporting events, nobody saw a coach wearing it.
