The varsity team from New Trier High School had a remarkable performance at the Illinois State Tournament held at the University of Urbana-Champaign, earning first place with 84 points. This was the team’s first overall win since 2018. The second-place finish went to Adlai E. Stevenson High School, while the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools finished in third.
New Trier’s Science Olympiad squad excelled in various disciplines, showcasing their talents and securing their first overall win in years. The team’s success included several members earning medals and honors. Freshmen Kate Kang and Sofia Yang each received 3rd place medals, while sophomores Brian Ren, Elan Hao, Vivian Chen, and Justin Lu earned 1st place medals. Juniors Malachia Noel, Kevin Huang, Steven Zhao, and Varun Murali also excelled, with Noel winning four 1st place medals.
Among the seniors, Pranshu Rao and Tiana Wu secured 1st place in two categories and 3rd in another, while Sumi Pandiri, Andrew Xia, and others also received top honors. New Trier had previously performed well at the regional tournament at Oakton College, winning in both varsity and junior varsity categories.
The school’s commitment to providing opportunities for all students to participate in Science Olympiad was highlighted at this tournament as well. The New Trier Educational Foundation’s James Marran Grants program helps offset costs for out-of-state competitions. As state champions
