For the seventh consecutive year, the Science Olympiad team qualified for the State Tournament. Held at Wichita State University on Saturday, April 7, qualifying teams compete against other Science Olympiad teams within the state.

The team members found out they qualified for the State Tournament on Wednesday, March 7, about one week after the Regional Tournament at Johnson County Community College on Saturday, Feb. 25. They received eighth place out of 23 teams, qualifying them for the State Tournament.

“The judges kept us waiting for a week and a half on news about state,” Science Olympiad member junior Cole Clay said. “I was excited when I found out we qualified.”

Though the team just found out they made it to the State Tournament, members who received first place in a competition at the Regional Tournament automatically qualified for the State Tournament.

“Ashley [Hague] and I have know that we were state qualifiers since regionals,” Science Olympiad member junior Amanda Platt said. “We got first place in a competition and anyone that gets first place automatically makes it to state.”

In order to prepare for competitions, Science Olympiad members participate in open labs every Tuesday from 3-5 p.m. During these practices members work with each other to study or work on things for the competition.

“I usually start putting in more dedication to the team about two weeks before competitions,” Clay said. “I put in the most time and effort then.”

The team will continue to have their weekly open labs until the State Tournament on Saturday, April 7.