Tahoma High is sending nine math team members to compete at the annual National Mu Alpha Theta (MATH) Convention July 25-30 in Washington, D.C.

The competitors will demonstrate their knowledge of math on an international stage against 800 other students vying for national rankings.

“This year we are going back with a stronger and more mathematically diverse team,” said math team advisor Malinda Shirley in an e-mail. “The team practiced all year plus two mornings a week this summer.”

Last year, Anthony Yun, Sean Messenger and Zach Overhauser each won trophies at the national level.

This year Carly Overhauser and Niky Sarmah are joining Yun, Messenger and Zach Overhauser at the national competition while junior Kyla Marczewski and seniors Kelsey Genschorck and Mary Illback who will be competing at the Pre-Calculus level.

Malinda Shirley, who teaches math at THS, is pleased with them thus far.

“This is our strongest team yet,” Malinda Shirley said. “We are headed in the right direction with four coaches working with our nine motivated students.”

Former members Everett Sullivan and Dan Shirley who are majoring in math in college, are working with coach Tom Brown, a retired engineer, to pass on their math skills.

Dan Shirley, who is the algebra 2 team coach, said, “Competitive mathematics helps you think outside the box in a fun challenging way.”

Tahoma High’s math team began 13 years ago and competitors from the sixth grade and up have done well over the years.

“The MATHCOUNTS teams have done well in the past,” Brown said. “We hope this continued effort will pay off for them again.”

For more information e-mail mshirley@tahomasd.us.