Wellington students to compete in Science Olympiad finals

Gage Bock, a Wellington resident and Poudre High School senior, is proud to be a member of the team representing PHS at the National Science Olympiad Finals to be held May 16 in Lincoln, Neb. Bock is no stranger to the nationals; this is his third time to compete. While Bock captured five gold medals at the state invitational this year, the team won by a single point – qualifying the team for nationals.

PHS has a long history with this event, winning its first state title in 2000, which sent the team to compete in the finals. That year, they medaled in four events, meaning that the team was among the top six and finished 17th among 60 teams competing from all over the country. Since then, PHS has competed in the event 11 times – placing fourth overall in 2008, the team’s best showing. Other years, the team placed between fifth and 18th. In individual events, Poudre students have medaled 61 times, coming in first 12 times. Two of those first places occurring in 2013.

The 15 team members, representing freshman through senior classes, have a reputation to uphold. They will compete in a total of 23 events in a single day, working as teams of two, completing written tests, and building things.

Bock will compete in the following events: Air trajectory, technical problem-solving, mission possible, compound machines, “Wright” stuff and a timed event in which he and his partner will build a clock and test it. Following graduation, Bock plans to work for a year doing machining before enrolling in a mechanical engineering program.

Long-time team coach Jack Lundt has been assisted this year by coaches Greg Golz and Erik Bock.

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