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Polk County Middle School continued its dominance in regional science competition, securing its third consecutive championship at the North Carolina Science Olympiad Hickory Regional tournament held Saturday at Catawba Valley Community College.

Polk Middle tied Asheville Middle School with 57 points, but claimed the top spot based on the tiebreaker of having more first and second-place finishes in individual events. Foothills Community School finished just behind in third place with 58 points.

Polk Middle’s team excelled in several events, taking first place in Air Trajectory, Potions and Poisons and Wind Power competitions.

“We are very proud of the effort of all 15 students that participated in the 18 different events at Saturday’s regional Science Olympiad competition at Catawba Valley Community College,” said team coach Matthew Gratz. “Our kids worked hard, helped each other out and placed first in our division.

“This day wouldn’t have happened without all the teachers that coached different events and helped to organize for the event, and all of the parents that came to practices and the event day to help. Thank you all.”

The winning team included Josh McGrath, Josh Odel, Daniel Robbins, Rylie Klimstra, Amelia LeCompte, Hudson Tyler, Nate LeCompte, Claire Ashworth, Cameron Cole, Talan Martin, Bailey Wallace, Eva Baker, Riley Castauro, Xander Sparks-Trumble and Isaac Hodges.

The victory qualifies Polk Middle for the North Carolina Science Olympiad State Tournament, scheduled for April 25-26 at North Carolina State University. This marks the seventh consecutive year that Polk Middle has advanced to the state competition.

Science Olympiad challenges students to compete in 18 team events covering various scientific disciplines. The competitions include subject tests, building devices or a combination of both, giving students hands-on experience with scientific principles.

After years of competing in the Asheville Regional, Polk Middle traveled to Hickory for the first time when the Asheville event was not held this year.