Oliver Krainer: Math Maniac

Photo courtesy of Oliver Krainer

Academic award. Krainer is pictured here holding his award for getting third place overall in his regionals competition for Mathcounts. Oliver has been in Mathcounts for all three years that he has been at the Jr. High. “I’ve always had an interest in math, and both of my parents work in math,” said Krainer.

The numbers fly and the clock ticks. As the buzzer screams, the winner is clear. This math whiz can’t be stopped.

Oliver Krainer is an eighth grade student involved in the extracurricular Mathcounts. Mathcounts is all about pushing yourself to solve complicated math problems, which you then use the knowledge gained to compete against other schools. The levels of competitions include regionals, states and nationals.

Krainer is well prepared for all sorts of problems presented at the Mathcounts competition, for his parents help grow his ability, he walks over to the High school for math, and he is prepped at his Mathcounts practices. The practices are on Mondays every week from 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

“I try to challenge myself, so I take my problems and time them with as much time I have in a round and try to solve them,” said Krainer.

Krainer just had his competition at regionals and placed third. He will be moving up to the states competition on March 22. He hopes to accomplish his goals when he is at states.

“It would be nice to get to nationals,” said Krainer. “But I hope to get top 10 or top 25 percent.”

Mathcounts is always open to new competitors, for it helps the team grow when there are people with different skills.

“They should definitely join,” said Krainer. “It is a fun and exciting experience, and when you go to the competitions you get recognized for what you do. If you do decent in some math competitions, colleges can actually give you scholarships.”