The annual Math Counts competition ended in a three-way tie for perfect scores, with the fourth grade victor being determined by just hundredths of a second.

Liam Bates of the Poplar Bluff Middle School edged out schoolmates Grant Henson, Taya Johnson and John Rosmarin during the mathematics contest sponsored by the Butler County Community Resource Council on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library.

"The four fastest times were all from the Middle School and there was only 19/100 of a second that separated [them]," recapped Middle School teacher Aleanna Moore, who helped facilitate the four-week competition, alongside Stephanie Bullock of Lake Road. Instructional coaches Pam Davis and Gretchen Pendley provided technical assistance.

The multiplication competition, up to integers of 12, kicked off last month among all fourth graders of Lake Road and the Middle School, respectively. The goal post moved further away each week as the timeclock grew shorter until four of the highest scoring participants with the fastest times were chosen from 49 students who advanced to the semifinals, according to Moore.

Math Counts was established during the 2011/12 school year by the CRC Children & Youth Succeeding in School Committee. Last year, Chance Goins of Lake Road won the championship. The competition previously involved all four R-I lower elementary schools, until the Middle School shifted to incorporate grade four, and Lake Road later expanded its grade configuration.

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Cutline: (Left to right) John Rosmarin, Grant Henson, Liam Bates and Taya Johnson vie in the final round of the annual Math Counts competition on Wednesday, Dec. 4.