In an intense competition of mathematical excellence on Saturday, Rancho Pico Junior High pulled out the first-place victory, sending them to the California MathCounts State Competition.

Rancho Pico Junior High School earned top honors at the San Fernando Valley MathCounts competition, taking first place among 21 schools and 220 competitors on Saturday, February 7, at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). This achievement reflects months of preparation, dedication, and commitment to academic excellence.

The annual MathCounts competition brought together some of the brightest middle school mathematicians from across the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys. Students represented private, public, charter, and magnet schools making the event both rigorous and highly competitive.

Representing Rancho Pico were Lilliana Jun, Christopher Lew, Hope Shu, and Pradyun Theerthala, coached by Erin McHorney. Throughout multiple challenging rounds designed to test speed, strategy, and deep mathematical reasoning, the team demonstrated exceptional collaboration, focus, and composure under pressure. Four of the top 12 students were from the Hart District, three from Rancho Pico, and one from Rio Norte.

Adding to the celebration, Christopher Lew, of Rancho Pico, earned an impressive 2nd place overall finish in the individual competition – an outstanding accomplishment among 220 competitors. Chetan Somysetty, of Rio Norte, won the Countdown round, in which students compete in a head-to-head battle of accuracy and speed.

With this first-place finish, Rancho Pico has qualified to advance to the California MathCounts State Competition, where the team is expected to compete against the top schools in California on March 21 in Riverside.

The state round represents the highest level of MathCounts competition in California and brings together the most accomplished middle school mathematicians from across the state.

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