Da Vinci's math team to go to state

Da Vinci Academy's middle school math team, coached by math teacher Clare Detzler, advanced to the state Mathcounts competition after placing fourth in the regional event held Feb. 2 at the Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora.

Mathcounts, a national math competition, includes both team and individual components.

In the team round, four students competed for Da Vinci: eighth-grader James Bartusek of Geneva, seventh-grader Keith Kimberling of South Elgin, seventh-grader Ty Bottorff of Lakewood, and seventh-grader Hannah Werman of St. Charles.

Da Vinci placed fourth overall as a team, qualifying them to move on to the state tournament on March 8.

In the individual round, Da Vinci had eight students participate. In addition to the four students who competed in the team round, Da Vinci also was represented in the individual round by eighth-grader C.J. Black of Hoffman Estates, seventh-grader Artem Bolshakov of St. Charles, sixth-grader Patrick Cole of Elburn, and sixth-grader Alex Park of St. Charles. James Bartusek placed fourth overall with 43 out of a possible 46 points, and Keith Kimberling placed eighth overall with 38 of 46.

The team will continue to practice in preparation for the state competition on March 8.

Da Vinci Academy, an independent school for intellectually gifted and talented students in pre-kindergarten to eighth grade, is at 37W080 Hopps Road in Elgin. For details, call (847) 841-7532 or visit www.dvacademy.org.