Wright Jr. High's Science Olympiad team wins national title

Daniel Wright Junior High's Science Olympiad team won the Lincolnshire's school first U.S. title after a dominating performance at the national tournament Saturday.

The squad soared to No. 1 in the nation in the tournament's middle school division with a score of 182 points, Coach Laura Coirier said.

"They work really hard, and they're really creative," a "delighted" Coirier said late Saturday night. "That's what makes them so amazing."

The Wright team competed in 23 events that, among other things, tested their engineering skills, lab work and confidence during the contest at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Overall, more than 2,000 middle school and high school students on 120 teams competed.

"We have a lot of involved parents, a lot of involved students, supportive administration - people who have a lot of heart," Coirier said of the Wright team's recipe for success.

Earlier this year, the 21 members already earned a sixth consecutive state title - a record in Illinois - and now plan to enjoy their national trophy with a celebration at home, Coirier said.

"We have the future scientists and doctors and engineers of tomorrow," she said.

• Daily Herald staff writer Russell Lissau contributed to this report