WYSE Competition Results 2009

More than 200 high school students from throughout western Illinois participated this week in the Knox College Sectional of the 2009 Academic Challenge Competition sponsored by WYSE (Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering). The sectional competition was held Monday, March 16 in Knox's Umbeck Science Mathematics Center.

The WYSE Academic Challenge includes tests in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering graphics, English, mathematics, and physics. Each student competes in only two of the seven subjects. The competition is open to high school students in Illinois and Missouri.

Competition is held in four divisions -- 300, 700, 1500 and Unlimited -- based on enrollment. All the teams and individuals that competed at Knox had advanced from earlier regional competitions. The 2009 state finals are April 6-9, hosted by the University of Illinois - Urbana.

Results listed below indicate the school teams and individuals in each division that will advance to the state finals. Names were provided by individual team coaches and WYSE competition site volunteers.

Division 300
Top three teams advancing:

1. ROWVA; faculty advisor Jeff Heinrich; team members: Kendra McCue, Kevin Maloy, Caleb Lepisto, Ben Scott, Sawyer Baker, Ian Stewart, Alyssa Saylor, Adam Simonson, Corey Knisely, Brittany Munson, Barak Schafer, Samantha Krause, Kristofer England.

2. Hamilton; faculty advisor Darwin Smith; team members: Caleb Gray, Tina Gee, Emily Schuler, Trevor Ferris, Stephanie Kehler, Alexis Hoppes, Jeremy Buckert, Christian Speegle, David Day, Scott Simon, Cody West, David Miller.

3. Lewistown; faculty advisor April Suter; team members: Joshua ginglen, Paul Kline, Harley Chipman, Nathan Davis, Destiny Novak, Emma Hudspath, Jennifer Roberts, Kierstin Hadsall, David Whitehurst, Kyke Rice, Jennifer Robert, Jordan Sanders, Samuel Shafer, Andrew Caulkins, Jase Arnett.

Individual competitors in Division 300 advancing in specified subject exams, listed by high school and subject(s):
Monmouth-United: Steele Zach in Mathematics, Julie Gunter in English, Duncan Nall in Biology
Mendon-Unity: Connor Cornwell in English and Biology, Chase Chavaro and Josh Munson in Computer Science

Other schools represented by teams or individuals in Division 300: Sciota-West Prairie, Augusta-Southeastern, Meredosia-Chambersburg-Bluffs, Payson-Seymour, Pleasant Hill, Mount Sterling-Brown County, Barry-Western.

Division 700
Top three teams advancing:

1. Macomb; faculty advisor Beth Shryock; team members: Jeff Zhou, Emily Park, Douglas Yuri, Saman Moniri, Jake Mahr, Prem Thottumkara, Derek Lessard, Ana Petracovici, Abbey Eckman, Alice Ye, Amber Hansen, Larry Bordowitz, Alex Adams, Xavier Zahnle.

2. Rock Island - Alleman; faculty advisor Jim Boudro; team members: Matt Billingsley, Ross Elliott, Matt MacLennan, Steven Vogel, Douglas Noe, Emma Nelson, Andrew Hagenwerf, Allison Siroky, Moira MacLennan, Morgan Campbell, Katie Rea, Anne Faust, Christina Richmond, Michael DeJaegher.

3. Pittsfield; faculty advisor Linda Wyatt; Shane Sibley, Tim Ator, Jonathan Hanson, Merle Howland, Jacob Lipcamon, Sarah Sibley, Drew Boshardy, Joelle Schoenherr, Alex Feenstra, Stephanie Pennock, Cory Koltveit, Ema Stendback, Dylan Green, Cody Sheppard.

Individual competitors in Division 700 advancing in specified subject exams, listed by high school and subject(s):
Monmouth-Roseville: Elizabeth Myers in English, Patrick Fasano in Biology and Computer Science
Carthage-Illini West: Rick Blumer in Engineering Graphics

Other schools represented by teams or individuals in Division 700: Biggsville-West Central, Camp Point-Central, Farmington, Knoxville, Sherrard, Taylor Ridge-Rockridge.

Division 1500
Top team advancing:

1. Galesburg: faculty advisor Dave Baxter; team members Paul Schlake, Ting Chen, Whitney Hedden, Alexa Creech, Stephanie Pierson, Kelsey McKillip, Alex Foley, Andrew Willis, Corey Versamann, Trevor Nelson.

Division Unlimited
Top two teams advancing:

1. East Moline-United Township; faculty advisor: Damon Gray; team members: Stephanie Garner, John Patrick Brown, Greg Morgensen, Gabby Vanspeybroeck, Thomas Mathew, Greg Donley, Jimmy Weinert, Brigid Lemburg, Lindsey Garner, Eleazar Lachino, Brant Griffith.

2. Quincy; faculty advisor: Jackie Stewart; team members: Kristen Spurrier, Ann Mari Christensen, Dejan Vrtikapa, Blaine Brown, Ethan Clevenger, Marlee Labroo, Christina Goehl, Jessica Shackleton, Patrick Deeter.