UIL Number Sense and Mathematics students Jose Sanchez and Bailey Chase traveled to Waco to compete in a practice competition. Sanchez, who was a state qualifier last year, placed first in the meet at Waco Midway.

“It is important for these students to get in as many meets as possible before district in March,” teacher Patrice Cox, who drove the students, said. “The more experience they get, the better they will compete.”

The pair is coached by Tammy Oldham, who retired last year but has continued to coach, hoping to help the students make it to state this year. Sanchez has been to state both his sophomore and junior years, and hopes to make it again.

“I was so excited when I got first place,” Sanchez said. “Although I’ve done good in many tournaments before, it felt nice to get first and kind of refresh.”

District contest is March 27. The students will compete this weekend in Nacogdoches and over spring break in San Antonio.

“We’re just trying to study as much as possible,” Sanchez said. “Really making sure we’re up to date on all the theories and new equations. We want to do the best we can possibly do.”