FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AREA HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS COMPETE IN ANNUAL PHYSICS OLYMPICS

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., March 22, 2002 - Nine teams from area high schools recently competed in the Department of Physics' annual Physics Olympics at Southeast Missouri State University.

Teams competed March 18 in five events, which included the design of tin foil barges that could hold the most marbles and a mouse trap powered car that could travel the greatest distance.

Taking first place was Festus (Mo.) High School with students Matt Esparza, Jeff Houghton, Joe Lingle, Max Liu, Dan Pope and teacher Jon Bach. The second place team was Notre Dame High School of Cape Girardeau with students Danny Robert, Lindsay Kuper, Brad Bohannon, John Ray, Toni Horrell and teacher Brad Wittenborn. The third place team was Sparta (Ill.) High School of Sparta with students Aaron Povolish, Kate Albers, Amanda Kessler, Travis Stephens, Millie Sippo and teacher Gary Ebers.

Other schools attending included Bernie High School, North Pemiscot High School, Senath-Hornersville High School, Clearwater High School, Oak Ridge High School and Meadow Heights High School.