Waverly South Shore Multiplies Success with ECC Math Contest Victory
- Steve Jurrens
- Apr 3
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Waverly, SD - Numbers don’t lie, and for the Waverly South Shore math team, the numbers are looking like a dynasty. The team delivered an outstanding performance at this year’s ECC Math Contest, securing 1st place overall for the second consecutive year. This win marks the school’s sixth championship in the last seven years.
The road to the championship featured a literal cold front. Despite the contest being held remotely due to a “snowed out” original date, the Waverly South Shore students adapted quickly. Competition is fierce in the ECC, as each participating school may send up to two students in each of four distinct categories, for a maximum team of eight competitors.
Waverly South Shore’s dominance was evident in the final standings, with five students placing in the top five of their respective categories. This collective effort earned the school 20 team points, clinching the title.
Individual Standouts
The team’s success was built on several high-ranking individual finishes across multiple grade levels:
· Algebra 1: Lucas Johnson took home 1st place, followed immediately by Matthew, who earned 2nd place.
· Algebra 2: Penelope Palo secured a 2nd-place finish.
· Senior Math: Elizabeth Meyer placed 2nd, while teammate Kristian Waldner earned 3rd place.
Also representing the championship squad were Cobain Mayes, Jaina Johnson, and Klair Raml.
A Formula for Success
According to instructor Rodney Palo, this streak of victories is the result of more than just natural talent.
“These results did not happen by chance,” Palo said. “The students worked hard, pushed themselves, and dedicated extra time to practicing challenging problems in preparation for the contest. Their willingness to put in extra effort, combined with their strong aptitude and passion for mathematics, helped win this contest. I am extremely proud of each of them.”
With another trophy heading to the display case, Waverly South Shore continues to prove that when it comes to regional mathematics, they are the team to beat.
