Mayo has done it once again, the Science Olympiad team is heading off to compete for the state title once again at Bethel University on February 28. Although they have had their ups and downs this season, as the end is in sight, so too is the push for ultimate success as champions.

In the team’s first meet at Unity High School, Mayo had scored third at the Invitational and were off to a good start. However things quickly changed in the wrong direction as in the next two competitions, at the Boyceville Invitational and the UW-River Falls Border Battle (Invitational), Mayo placed 10th and 11th respectively, facing some of the best teams in the Midwest. 

However, at Regionals, Mayo rallied to place second in the competition, behind Century. Mayo remains hopeful that they can place even higher at State. 

As a show of good sportsmanship, the team has been helping out Century for its shot at the top spot in the state. Mayo has been helping them out with coaching, practicing, and providing event support. All of that effort will actually provide the Spartans with even more experience and preparation for the big competition ahead of them. 

Mayo’s Coach, Mr. Larson believes that “The team [is] coming along,” noting that “a key for the team is to keep preparing for state.” That involves a great deal of practice, reviewing information, and plenty of reading. He knows that it is asking a great deal of the team, but they have, “to deal with the crunch of heading to state.” 

The team’s confidence should be high, as Mr. Larson points out, “we have already gone against some of the better teams, so we know what to expect.” Having faced the competition before goes a long way towards enabling them to compete with and ultimately defeat their opponents. It is true, though, that “Mayo is in a rebuilding phase right now,” so Mr. Larson would “be happy with us getting [into] the top 10.” 

The future of Mayo’s Science Olympiad team looks bright. Coach Larson is happy to see “some young talent on the team,” so he believes that Mayo, “can do pretty well in the future.”  Stop by his classroom to wish the team well and ask about signing up, if you are interested in joining this great group for next year.