Student tops state math competition

Kalispell Middle School student Evan Kohler is in the prime of his mathematical fortitude.

After competing at state for the past few years, three is the prime number for the eighth-grader who took first at the state Mathcounts competition in Butte, earning a right to compete at nationals. 

Kohler competed along with 88 math students from 27 middle or junior high schools. 

Other state competitors from the Flathead Valley included Kalispell Middle School students Jonathan Gardner, Reed Miller, Sierra Riley and Anna Schultz; Fair-Mont-Egan students Danae Bonefeole, Spencer Christy, Dylan Nelson and Andy Smigaj; and Helena Flats students Caitlyn Franke, Jarret Isles, Michael Tracey and Mackenzie Weber.

Kohler, along with the next three highest-scoring competitors, earned all-expenses-paid trips to Boston to represent Montana at the Raytheon Mathcounts National Competition May 8. 

Kohler will compete for a national title against sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders representing the 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories and Department of Defense and State Department schools.

Mathcounts is a combination math coaching and competition program. 

Students are tested on such topics as probability, statistics, linear algebra and polynomials. The competition consists of written tests and a fast-paced oral match called the Count Down Round.  

At state, Kohler earned a spot in the final Count Down Round by placing fourth on a written test. Only the top 10 advanced to the Count Down Round where his competitors were subtracted one by one until the top four were left.

During the Count Down Round, students had to “buzz in” with their answers, providing for fast-paced competition and quick thinking.

Peter Musick, Kalispell Middle School math teacher and Mathcounts coach, said this round distinguished who can work under time pressure.

“I think that’s what gets to a lot of people is how fast you have to answer,” Musick said.

Kohler has prepared for competition since October, spending roughly 20 minutes a week completing Mathcounts practice problems at school. Kohler said the difficulty ranges from the sixth-grade to 10th-grade content.

“I’d say it extends above and beyond regular curriculum,” Kohler said.

The first level of competition began in January and early February, when students competed within their schools to become members of school teams. From there, 513 students from 64 middle schools competed at the regional level in February to advance to state. 

Since winning state, Kohler spends about two to three hours a week practicing for nationals.

Kohler is pretty smart when it comes to numbers. He currently takes geometry at Glacier High School, having completed all the math classes available at the middle school level by seventh grade. 

He may have an aptitude for math, yet Kohler attributed his success to interest and a willingness to learn. Musick added perseverance to that formula.

“They get excited about solving the problem,” Musick said.

When asked what he liked about math, Kohler replied, “Just the art of problem solving.”

Musick and Kohler agreed that anyone willing to learn and is comfortable competing should try.

“Anyone [who is] willing to go above and beyond with math and take it to the next level,” Kohler said.

Evan is the son of Carolyn Prussen and Tony Kohler.

Just how hard are Mathcounts competition problems? Try the problem of the week at www.mathcounts.org.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.