Science Bowl state champs, FHS Team 1 advances
FHS Team 1, consisting of team members Ridhima Singh, Raymond Jin, Chris Keum, Nia Maheshwari and Cordelia Hu, came in first place, besting 48 other teams from across the state and winning $1,000 for FHS.
A second team, FHS Team 2, consisting of members Alex Yan, Doan “Ty” Nguyen, Eric Zhang, Nick Yan and Tom Williamson, came in second place, and won $750 for FHS. If for any reason, Team 1 cannot compete, Team 2 would take its place.
Both Team 1 and 2 were coached and sponsored by FHS physics and astronomy teacher Matthew Milligan.
“I am very proud of our two teams,” Milligan said. “FHS has been to nationals at least a couple of times before this, but I don’t recall taking both first and second (place) in the same year.”
Farragut Team 1 will compete in the preliminary rounds for the national tournament, according to Amy Schwinge, senior communications and marketing specialist for ORAU, which is one of the major sponsors of the Science Bowl.
“They are guaranteed three preliminary rounds. The top 32 combined scores from the Preliminary Tournament will advance to the Elimination Tournament,” she said.
During the Elimination Tournament, teams will compete until the top eight scoring teams will advance to the Championship Tournament, to be held in-person in Washington, D.C., in July with all expenses paid.
Team dedication
Milligan said he has been sponsoring the Science Bowl teams for roughly 15 years.
Though a coach, “I don’t do that much really,” he said. “The kids plan and conduct the practice sessions. They do the extra studying.
“It is really a tribute to the entire Farragut system of schools that these students are so knowledgeable and capable,” Milligan added.
