By Hub City Times staff

MARSHFIELD – The Marshfield High School Science Olympiad team will head to state after placing first in competition the weekend of Feb. 14 at the UW at Stevens Point.

Science Olympiad is a Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics (STEM) competition in which students compete in 23 events using scientific disciplines.

“Students typically compete in 3-4 events with a partner, and then the scores for individual events are tallied for a team score,” said MHS Science Olympiad Coach Amy Fassler.

The Marshfield team consisted of 15 students, who placed first in 12 events.

“Stand out award winners were Tara Bhat, Uma Neal, and Davis Rens who took first place in all of their events,” Fassler said.

Team members are: seniors –Tyler Katzenberger, Ariel Fernandez, Minh-Thy Tyler, Kevin Gleisner,  Krupa Patel; juniors – Allie Bacholl, Sary Bseiso, Zoey Rice, Neal, Bhat; sophomores – Rens, Matthew Kloehn, Kennan Chojnacki; freshman –Richard Gui, Ruhi Shah.

The Marshfield team will now advance to state competition at UW-Milwaukee April 17-18.

“The team meets once during the week and most Sunday afternoons,” Fassler explained. “They research their events, take practice tests, discuss current topics in science.

“One of the reasons for the success of the Science Olympiad team is the strength of our science program at the high school. This all goes back to the amazing teachers that lay the foundation and gets excited about science. Students get a lot of help from the technology education department as well.

“I could not be prouder of my team. They work hard and encourage each other. They really have a passion for science and I am so excited I get to share my passion with them.”