Mathcounts Flashback

[kybearfuzz]

After dinner at Qdoba last night, Tim and I were having a discussion about math and what we took in college. I liked math until I got to college and even participated in Mathcounts, a mathematics competition in junior high with aceofspace.

I enjoyed puzzles and word problems and I liked Mathcounts and then of course came the competition. I was a "mathlete" before the word was coined.

I was always a bit clueless in these sorts of things. I understood the competition of things, but not the desire to be competitive. I just did my best on things and let the chips fall wherever they may. If I recall correctly, there was some sort of a written test during this regional competition in 1986. When they posted the results, I came in fourth and our coach was elated that two of my team made the top four, the other two slots were held by students from the St. Camillus Academy, a private Catholic school in my hometown.

While everyone else was thrilled with the results, I wondered what the big deal was in being in the top four. I remember one of my teammates named Donnie shaking me, saying how great it was (as he had also come in the top four). Then my coach told me that the top four had to do a special topic presentation in front of everyone. Suddenly, it didn't sound so damn great. Speaking in front of everyone was terrifying to me then.

So we individually had to work on several unusual problems and give our answers in front of the crowd. I vaguely remember giving my results and answering my questions from the panel. I know for a fact that I got at least two of them wrong. Thank heavens there wasn't a swimsuit competition (I'd left my two-piece and heels at home), though I really did want world peace. For my talent competition, I showed them how a fat, nervous kid could quickly soak a shirt with sweat in seconds.

When they finally gave the awards, I ranked third, beating out one of the brainy ladies from St. C, much to the surprise of some of her classmates. I was particularly happy to see the jaw of this rich snob named Ben hit the floor. I'm not sure how I outdid the other St. C girl, unless she tried snowing the judges where I was honest. I remember telling the panel that I didn't know the answer to something or that I came to a conclusion based on an educated guess.

I'm actually surprised I still have the trophy. I have a couple of others from that day in a box in my house somewhere. They're nice triangle trophies with sharp points, good for self-defense against burglars. No sports trophies though. It does tell you where I spent a lot of my time and where I obviously didn't.