Dakota Finishes 7th in Regional Science Olympiad

While 's seventh-place finish at Science Olympiad regionals was not enough to secure a place in the state finals, the team did not leave the competition empty-handed.

Dakota students earned 12 medals overall and two team members won $500 scholarships to Macomb Community College.

“I am really proud of how our team did," said junior and co-captain Laura Osaer. "Everyone tried their best and it really showed, and we all had a great time."

Had the team placed fourth or higher at regionals, as it has for the past eight years, Dakota would have advanced to the state competition. However, this year's regional tournament was the first in which the team has competed since its former coach, who led each of the previous eight runs to states, retired.

The team is now co-coached by Debbie Osaer, a working mom, and Kate Israsel, an Oakland University student and former Dakota Science Olympiad team member.

“It was a great day," Debbie Osaer said. "Overall, the team got medals in 12 events, and two students won a scholarship for $500 to Macomb Community College.”

High school student’s that received a first-place medal were placed in a drawing for these scholarships. Dakota teammates Megan Hawley and Jeff Rynkowski both earned scholarship money towards their future college educational costs.

“Our team did a terrific job and had a very impressive day," said junior and co-captain Michael Cross. "Most of the team earned several medals and we took seventh place overall. It was a great finish to a very successful year.”

Twenty-one teams made up this year's 2011 Macomb High School/Division C Science Olympiad field. The teams competed on March 26 on the South Campus of Macomb Community College.

The state finals will be held on April 30 on the campus of Michigan State University.

Updates will be made to this article as scores are released.