The Science Olympiad team placed fourth in the regional tournament at Johnson County Community College on Saturday, Feb. 23. It was the highest it had ever placed at regionals, and it qualifed for the state tournament at Wichita State University in April.

Seniors Amanda Platt and Ashley Hague placed the highest individually and got first place in the Write It/Do It category. Platt said placing first in her category was unexpected.

“[Winning] was pretty exciting. We hadn’t medaled in that event in the last tournament so it was exciting to medal this time,” Platt said. “We didn’t think we had done well in it so it was nice to get first.”

Platt said placing fourth at regionals gives the team confidence to do well at state.

“A lot of people have been working really hard since our last tournament to prepare for regionals, and I think with them knowing we can qualify as a team that high, we can get that high at state too.” Platt said.

The team’s greatest regional performance to date brought Platt a lot of enthusiasm.

“[Placing fourth] was very exciting and it’s the best we’ve ever done as a team,” Platt said. “It was good to see everyone had come together to win.”

Here is a list of all the winners:

Write It/Do It, first place, seniors Amanda Platt and Ashley Hague

Fermi, first place, seniors Chris Gillespie and Daniel Franken

Material Science, second place, senior Aaron Akin and junior Tyler Hinnen

Forensics, second place, seniors Amanda Platt and Ashley Hague

Anatomy, second place, seniors Cole Clay and CJ Hopkins

Robot Arm, third place, senior Aaron Akin and junior Tyler Hinnen

Mag Lev, third place, senior Aaron Akin and sophomore Henry Hanson

Designer Genes, fourth place, senior CJ Hopkins and junior Alyssa Hobson

Astronomy, fourth place, freshmen T-Ying Lin and Jack Booth

Chem Lab, fifth place, seniors CJ Hopkins and Cole Clay

Gravity Vehicle, fifth place, senior Aaron Akin and junior Tyler Hinnen

Water Quality, fifth place, senior Amanda Platt and junior Connor Oswald

Rocks and Minerals, sixth place, sophomore Kyal Long and freshman Shelby Badger