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Fast figuring adds up to state competition By ANDIE LEATHERMAN, LTN Staff Writer Feb. 27, 2002 - Two plus two equals state competition for four East Lincoln Middle School math whizzes. The school’s Math Counts team will compete against teams from across North Carolina March 16 in Greenville. Eighth-graders Patrick Rada, Dustin Newcombe and Charlie Betts and seventh-grader Kurt Haisin will complete algebra, geometry, statistical, probability, trigonometry problems. Portions of the competition will be individual. The group will put their heads together and solve other problems as a team. “They know they’re up against some tough competition,” said teacher Darin Blalock, who coaches the team. Teacher Wendy Palmer-Newell also is a team coach. The four are ready though, practicing three times each week. They spend over an hour working problems both individually and as a group. Team members credit Blalock for carefully explaining the complex problems. “I never liked math until I met Mr. Blalock. He makes it easy with shortcuts,” said Dustin. The team placed second in regional competition earlier this year, competing against 26 teams from the central Piedmont area. Newton-Conover Middle School took first place. This is the last year of competition for the three eighth-graders who will attend East Lincoln High next year. “It’s been fun. I’ll miss it,” Dustin said. The high school does not have a math team. The three leave behind Kurt Haisin, who they say is the strongest mathematician. “It’s amazing. Kurt as a seventh-grader is scoring better than anyone else,” said Charlie Betts. If the students’ individual or group scores are in the top four, the next step is a trip to national competition.
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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
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