Canyon Crest math team adds up to success

CARMEL VALLEY — Canyon Crest Academy proved that it knows its numbers, when its top math students scored fourth, among top schools nationwide, in the 2009 Ciphering Time Trials, a national mathematics context sponsored by National Assessment & Testing.
That win was followed by the team participating in the 2010 Four-by-Four competition Feb. 4, featuring a similar format with team of four rather than individual contestants.
Coach and math teacher Brian Shay prepared students for the last major competition, which offered 10 rounds, with three minutes to solve three problems. The problems in each round covered a range of difficulties on diverse topics, challenging the students to answer all three questions within the time allotted or quickly decide which problems can be skipped.
After results from students across the country were double-checked, several Canyon Crest team members received special, individual awards. Thomas Swayze placed third in the ninth-grade division, with Raymond Wu and Henry Maltby scoring seventh and 12th respectively in the 10th-grade division. Marco Gentili placed 18th in the 11th-grade division, and Leon Zhou and Igo Raush placed 14th and 25th respectively in the 12th-grade division.
The National Assessment & Testing group offers math competitions that schools can receive through the mail and administer on their own schedule.