The UIL Academic Team is traveling down to the state capitol Monday to compete in the math and science events at the State competition following a fifth place overall finish at Region. Participants will compete Tuesday in Austin in an attempt to score points for both individual and team awards.

“I’m really excited to see how the students do—it’s a neat way to wrap up the end of the year,” UIL coordinator Jeff Schrantz said. “Last year, we were in a pretty unique situation that although we only took seven students they competed in quite a few events. This year we’re taking a little bit less, we’re only taking five students, and collectively, they’re just competing in two events. So it’s unlikely that we do as well on the sweepstakes total but individually I still think our teams have a great chance to win.”

If the science team is able to place at State, it would be only the second state title in the school’s history.

“It’s my last year and I think our team is looking very competitive,” senior Yash Kadaki said. “Our team score at region was actually the second highest in the state.”

The UIL event is the last one for senior competitors as there is no national competition.

“Right now I’m just staying focused on doing my best in Austin,” Kadaki said. “I haven’t given [the ending of my UIL career] much thought but I know when it’s over, I’ll miss the competition and the people.”