New Trier Triumphs In State Science Olympiad, Heads To Nationals

WINNETKA, IL — In a stellar showing of scientific skills, New Trier Science Olympiad squad secured first place at the Illinois State Tournament on Saturday at the University of Urbana-Champaign.

New Trier's varsity team finished the tournament with 84 points, 2 points better than Adlai E. Stevenson High School of Lincolnshire. The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools team finished in a distant third.

Illinois Science Olympiad tournaments consist of a series of events with 15-person teams. Events are designed by the National Science Olympiad committee, with some requiring more specialized scientific knowledge and others focusing more on the application of skills.

At this year's state championship, New Trier's team earned a slew of medals and honors across various scientific disciplines on its way to its first overall win since 2018.

Freshman Kate Kang and Sofia Yang took home 3rd plate medals. Four sophomores earned 1st place medals, Brian Ren, Elan Hao, Vivian Chen and Justin Lu.

From the junior class, Malachia Noel won four 1st place medals, Kevin Huang and Steven Zhao got two golds and a silver, while Varun Murali won two golds and a bronze. Kaci Morris was awarded a gold and two silvers and Nicholas Circolone earned a bronze.

And among seniors, Pranshu Rao and Tiana Wu were both 1st in two categories and 3rd in another, Andrew Xia was 1st in one category and 3rd in two others, while Sumi Pandiri was 2nd in another category.

Before the triumph last weekend, New Trier took first place in the varsity category and both first and second place in the junior varsity category at last month's regional tournament at Oakton College.

Out of 23 events, the varsity team came away with 18 gold medals, four silvers and a bronze, while the JV team won 21 golds, 17 silvers, one bronze and two fourth place medals.

According to school officials, the cost of traveling to out-of-state competitions, including state and national tournaments, can be offset through the New Trier Educational Foundation's James Marran Grants program, which aims to ensure all students can participate in Science Olympiad regardless of the wealth of their family.

After becoming state champions for the first time in six years, New Trier now qualifies for the national tournament on May 25 at Michigan State University.