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Polk County Middle School’s model bridge-building team enjoyed another successful showing in the state competition and very nearly extended its impressive run.

Polk Middle finished second Friday in the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Model Bridge Building Competition in Raleigh. Elm City Middle School narrowly edged out the three-time defending champions by less than a point in the annual contest, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year.

“We may have come in second at this year’s competition, but this group of kids is incredible,” said Leslie Rhinehart, STEM teacher at Polk Middle and the team’s coach.

The Polk Middle team included Jacob Jenne, Jared Aguilera, Alexis Carroll, Adriauna Twitty, Allie Lewis, Jasper Clark and Adam Baglia.

“Several of these students have been competing on the bridge team for three years,” Rhinehart said. “Jacob Jenne persisted in this year’s initial build and design to earn the place as team builder. Alexis Carroll, Adriauna Twitty and Jared Aguilera always take the lead in writing and choreographing the skit for the competition. Everyone does their part and it shows.”

The NCDOT competition, held in partnership with Carolinas Associated General Contractors and the American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina, has encouraged students since 2000 to develop math and science skills used in transportation, construction and engineering careers.

Teams are judged on oral presentation, written report, design drawing and bridge efficiency. The efficiency score is calculated by multiplying 0.10 by the weight carried in grams, divided by the bridge’s weight in grams.

The final score combines the efficiency score with points awarded for presentation, report and drawing components.