KU News Release

Mathematics Prize Competition winners announced

LAWRENCE — Eleven mathematicians from the University of Kansas won $1,100 in prizes at the 27th annual Undergraduate Mathematics Prize Competition, held March 30. The winnings will be awarded at the mathematics department’s Honors Banquet on April 21.

Rachel L. Debes, a senior from Hays, won first place and $200 in the senior-level competition open to all undergraduates. Phillip A. Regier Jr., a senior from Madrid, Neb., won $150 for second place. Nicholas Edward Tobaben, a senior from Topeka, and John Harrison Scoville, a senior from Prairie Village, received $50 awards for third place.

Siwei Guo, a junior from Jinan, China, won the $200 first-place prize in the junior-level competition open to non-senior undergraduates. Yan Zhang, a freshman from Yantai, China, won $150 for second place, and Fanghua Qiao, a freshman from Zhengzhou, China, won $100 for third.

Two students, both from China, won $100 each as the top freshmen competitors: Hao Zhou from Beijing and Yugeng Sun from Tangshan. Eric Colangelo, a sophomore from Eureka, and Christopher John Harries, a sophomore from Wichita, won honorable mentions.

Jeremy Martin, assistant professor of mathematics, directed the competition. Each student had three hours to solve six problems that ranged over all areas of mathematics.

Winners are listed below by hometown, level in school, major and, when available, parents’ names and high school.

ELLIS COUNTY
From Hays 67601
Rachel L. Debes, senior in mathematics, daughter of Ken and Debbie Debes; Hays High School.

GREENWOOD COUNTY
From Eureka 67045
Eric Matthew Colangelo, sophomore in mathematics and physics, son of Gregory and Barbara Colangelo; Eureka High School.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Prairie Village 66208
John Harrison Scoville, senior in mathematics.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67212
Christopher John Harries, sophomore in mathematics and computer science, son of David and Debra Harries; Wichita High School Northwest.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66605
Nicholas Edward Tobaben, senior in mathematics and mechanical engineering, son of Jim and Anita Tobaben; Shawnee Heights Senior High School.

NEBRASKA
From Madrid 69150
Phillip Regier Jr., senior in mathematics, son of Dori Regier; Wheatland Schools.

CHINA
From Beijing
Hao Zhou, freshman in economics, son of Juan Liu.

From Jinan, Shandong
Siwei Guo, junior in chemistry.

From Tangshan, Hebei
Yugeng Sun, freshman in College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

From Yantai
Yan Zhang, freshman in mechanical engineering.

From Zhengzhou, Henan
Fanghua Qiao, freshman in environmental studies, son of Ke Qiao.

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