Some 66 middle and high school students from 28 local schools competed in the Western Regional State Mathematics Finals today, hosted for the 18th year by UNC Asheville. This event is held each spring to encourage students to excel in mathematics. In order to be eligible to participate, student had to place in a regional qualifying contest.

The Eastern and Central Regional Finals were also held today in Rocky Mount and Greensboro. The exams were coordinated so that all results could be pooled and statewide winners determined.

In the Western Regional Competition, the winners, in the order they finished, were:

Algebra I – David Wang of Valley Springs Middle; Karl Wold of Northview Middle; Elizabeth Ball of Mill Creek Middle; Brooke L. Kopelakis of Enka Middle; Richard S. Park of Cane Creek Middle; Courtland B. Clavette of Cane Creek Middle; Marie Mauhar of Valley Springs Middle; Ben M. Peltzer of Newton Conover Middle; Regan Hale of Northview Middle; and Myles K. Kimble of Owen Middle.

Algebra II – Brendan Fletcher of the Charlotte Home Educators Association; Lu Zhang of Watauga High; Derek J. Marsh of East Lincoln High; William Jordan of Carolina Day School; Morgan L. Alexander of T.C. Roberson High; Ivy Palas of Asheville High; Jan Jorgensen of Owen High; Diane Huang of T.C. Roberson High; Jody Heck of Carolina Day School; Lindsey Fox of North Buncombe High.

Geometry – Shutong Zhan of Watauga High; Dylan J. Peifer of North Buncombe High; Rongjia Jiang of Watauga High; Ellse N. Bare of T.C. Roberson High; Nathaniel M. Skroski of A.C. Reynolds High; Dana McAfoos of Enka High; Blake E. Johnson of A.C. Reynolds High; Melissa E. Day of Robbinsville High; Taylor Michael Courier of Hendersonville High; and Stephen A. Jenkins of T.C. Roberson High.