The Cambridge-Isanti Math Team entered this season with a score to settle.
Last year the Bluejackets seemingly saw a league title slip through their fingers. This year, the goal was to avenge that disappointment.
“[Last year] we were halfway through the season, and we were comfortably in first place, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to get some kids who haven’t been [in the spotlight] to feel the pressure of an event,” coach Steve Larson explained. “So we did that, and we narrowly finished second with a lot of JV players that week.
“So we were still in first, but it made for an interesting final round. And in that final round, we had a day where everyone had an off day – apparently no one’s calculator was working right. And we ended up losing that round, and the season.”
This year the Bluejackets left no doubts, winning their first four meets to storm to the title, the program’s third in five years and seventh in the 11 years since 2014.
Senior Josh Ryberg said this year’s team looked forward, not backward.
“Yes, in the back of my head, I didn’t want us to do that again,” he admitted. “But if you focus on it, it can drag you down.
“So we learned the lesson and we moved on.”
Larson said the focus of the team from the start was a tribute to its seniors, namely Ryberg along with sisters Samantha and Taylor Kinnunen, along with Ruccus Schauer.
“Usually in our first meet, we do not perform well,” Larson said. “This year we finished first in that first meet, and we stormed through the season. And that was largely because of the leadership of our seniors – Josh, Taylor, Sam and Ruccus.
“They’re strong math students, but they also have learned to lean on others and use the resources of the team.”
Larson said this year’s seniors have accepted the added burden of leading a team while also performing as individuals.
“This has been our best group of seniors ever,” he said. “To have four seniors who are all strong, and who also contribute to the younger players’ development, is special.”
Ryberg felt he and his fellow seniors feel the group they are a part of has accepted their leadership, making their work easier.
“I think we have a fantastic group of kids,” he said. “We’re there to help them. I don’t consider myself a ‘leader’ – we’re trying to make them feel comfortable and welcome to help them to do fantastic things.”
This season the Bluejackets wore down the competition with their depth. C-I had the individual champion in junior Gunnar Erickson, but no other competitor in the top five. But that was not a concern: The team took places 6-8 and had six in the top 11 and a whopping 11 in the top 19.
“I think that’s a tribute to the culture established by Mike Sorn and the coaches who followed him,” said Larson, who is now in his fourth season’s as the team’s coach. “The culture is that we want to represent Cambridge-Isanti well. I try to provide an atmosphere where people are allowed to participate and contribute to the team’s success.”
Following Erickson was Schauer in sixth, sophomore Jackson Ryberg in seventh, freshman Eddie Steman in eighth, Josh Ryberg in 10th, junior Noah Hadjiyanis in 11th, Taylor Kinnunen in 13th, sophomore Isaac Egge in 14th, sophomore William Hovseth in 15th, freshman Amanda Kopp in 18th and Samantha Kinnunen in 19th.
Even better for the program is the diversity of classes.
“We have an honors geometry program that I teach, so I’m able to connect with kids at the ninth grade level,” Larson said. “I think that helps us have a strong, consistent team in each grade.
“I used to teach calculus to juniors and seniors, and by that point they had already sold their souls to various other programs.”
The competitions come in five parts, focusing on algebra, geometry, a combination of trigonometry with stats and probability, precalculus and a team portion where the group works together to solve a variety of problems.
It’s in that “team” area where Cambridge-Isanti has shone, according to Larson.
“There are right answers and there are wrong answers, and in the world of math there are times where we view things very starkly,” Larson said. “When you’re on the wrong side, that can be humiliating.
“I think, especially in the team events, we’ve developed a culture where kids ‘do their best.’ No one judges if someone gets it wrong. We learn from it and we move forward.”
The team aspect of the program is especially important and valuable in Larson’s eyes.
“It’s happened at least once this season to each of the seniors, where they had a day where it just wasn’t their day,” he said. “But we get many of our points in the ‘team’ portion of the event. ...
“I wish I could have people watch a group of kids solve six problems together. They have to brainstorm through these things, check and challenge each other with ideas – and come out of that without feeling bad. Because they’re going to have to do it again and again.
“Maybe I should post a camera so people can watch.”
Josh Ryberg said he feels the Math Team can be equated to a football team.
“In football there are players who run the ball, who throw the ball and who catch the ball,” he explained. “Together, they are able to work to have success.
“I’m a pre-calc guy, and I know people who are geometry people and others who are raw calculations people. Working together, we’re able to tackle problems that we might not have been able to [tackle] individually.”
Eventually Larson would like to start a junior high program.
“That would give kids of that age additional competition and exposure,” Larson said. “That would help them perform better when they reach the high school level.”
Josh Ryberg said he feels the future of the team, and the program, is bright.
“We’re constantly growing, and I don’t think this is the peak,” he said. “In our section, we’re starting to become more competitive. Even though I may not be a part of the future, I can’t wait to see what this team will do.
“I have no doubt in my mind that, in a few years, I will be trying to sneak into the state competition to see the team from Cambridge-Isanti compete down there. And I cannot wait for that day.”
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