Concordia's programming team competes in ICPC regionals

Concordia’s programming team recently competed in the International Collegiate Programming Contest regional competition. Two teams from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln joined six from Concordia to compete on November 9. These teams were in competition against over 90 other teams in the North Central North America region.  

ICPC teams consist of three members each, who work to solve problems in an intense five-hour competition. The team who solves the most problems wins, with time-to-completion breaking ties. Teams compete in ICPC qualifying and regional contests, with the top teams advancing to continental championships and world finals.  

This year’s North Central North America competition posed 12 problems to 93 college teams from Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ontario, Manitoba, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas and Michigan. The top four teams – each from a different school – in each region progress to the ICPC Nationals competition.  

Competing in ICPC was a great way to close out my time at Concordia.

The Concordia team “Runtime Terrors” finished 13th overall in the competition – the highest placement ever for a team in Concordia’s history. They finished just behind UNL’s two teams, who placed 11th and 12th. Concordia was just behind UNL as a distinct school, finishing sixth to UNL’s fifth.  

“[Competing in ICPC] was a great way to close out my time [at Concordia],” said senior computer science major Tytus Woodburn, who is a member of Runtime Terrors.  

Placements included:  

Runtime Terrors placed 13th overall and 6th distinct, solving five problems:  

Noah Niederklein, freshman, Pittsburg, Kan.  

Tytus Woodburn, senior, York, Neb.  

Silas Curtis, sophomore, Worden, Ill.  

AMA placed 41st overall, solving two problems:  

Aaron Cumming, junior, Allen, Tex.  

Caden Korell, sophomore, Blair, Neb.  

Matthew Kruse, junior, Denver, Colo.  

Syntax Sorcerers placed 64th overall, solving one problem:  

David Marin, freshman, Omaha, Neb.  

Ethan L’Heureux, sophomore, Cedar Falls, Iowa 

Lawson Fairchild, freshman, Roanoke, Ind.  

Solotions Not Found placed 76th overall, solving one problem:  

Isaac Dawson, sophomore, Cedar Falls, Iowa 

Abe Gomez, sophomore, Alliance, Neb.  

Reagan Zierke, freshman, Johnston, Iowa 

Sulutions Not Found placed 77th overall, solving one problem:  

Heidi Blank, freshman, Las Vegas, Nev.  

Aleksa Chambers, sophomore, Crete, Neb.  

PJ Maestas, freshman, Chico, Calif.  

Concordia’s programming team is a community of students coached by computer science faculty, with a shared love of programming and technology. Whether you are seeking a future career in computer science or just want to enhance your critical thinking, problem-solving and team-building skills, the programming team has a place for you. Learn more about the team here.