VALDOSTA – For the 45th consecutive year, high school students from across the state of Georgia travelled to Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus to compete in the annual Jay Cliett and Bill Kipp High School Mathematics Tournament.

First place in the team competition was awarded to Lowndes High School, Tattnall Square Academy, Thomasville High School (GHSA-AA), Greater Atlanta Christian School, North Oconee High School, Harris County High School, Brandon Hall School and The Heritage School.

Lowndes High School placed first in the overall team award for the GHSA-7A division while Joyce Liu placed second and Spencer Jones placed third in the individual awards, school officials said.

Hosted by GSW School of Computing and Mathematics, the tournament is the longest-running competition of its kind in the state and is one of the largest held each year, school officials said. 

Formerly the high school mathematics tournament, the event was renamed in honor of Professor Emeritus Bill Kipp, Ph.D., and the late Professor Emeritus Jay Cliett who have been instrumental to the success of the tournament since its inception in 1974.

Teams from 41 high schools competed in written and ciphering problem-solving exams. In all, more than 350 students, teachers and sponsors attended the event. Winners were recognized in six Georgia High School Association divisions and two Georgia Independent School Association divisions.

First place in the individual competition was awarded to Colleen Molton of Tattnall Square Academy, Michael Payton of Heard County High School, Andy Zhang of Greater Atlanta Christian School, Ryan Yang of North Oconee High School, Landon Kirkland of Veterans High School, Adam Hordines of Mountain View High, Ruiyang Zhao of Brandon Hall School and Xiyao Chen of The Heritage School.

GSW will also host middle school students from across the state as they compete in the junior mathematics tournament, March 9.