Decorah HS Physics Olympics Team performs well at state competition

(Pictured L-R): Sawyer Vanden Brink, Beirgen Gunhus-Dansdill, Rebecca Klotzbach, and Tori Hines pose with a bridge used in the state competition.

Four Decorah HS physics students were among around 150 students statewide to participate recently in the state finals of the Physics Olympics.

Rebecca Klotzbach, Tori Hines, Beirgen Gunhus-Dansdill and Sawyer Vanden Brink qualified for the state competition at the UNI McLeod Center based on their performances at a regional competition.  Klotzbach and Hines won the regional Bridge Building event, while Gunhus-Dansdill and Vanden Brink had a second place finish in the Challenge Problem.

At state, Beirgen and Sawyer placed 4th out of 15 teams in the Challenge Probelm, just missing the medal stand by a 1/2 point out of 200 total.  Rebecca and Tori's 63-gram bridge took 7th place out 17 teams, holding nearly 30 pounds before flexing the limit of 3/16 of inch.

The Physics Olympics team is coached by science teacher Tim Hayes.