The number one Catholic school math team in Illinois finished 6th in the state at the end of their 2023-24 school year. Starting around a month into the school year and ending in April, the Marist math team, coached by Mr. Glennon and Mr. Nicholson, pushed themselves and practiced constantly to be the best and it led to bragging rights..

Being the highest-scoring Catholic school in the regional competition on February 24 at Crete-Monee High School, and finishing with a score of 799, the team held 5th in the state for their division at the time. This was a big win for Marist who took 1st place in 9 out of 10 competitions they competed in that day. 

The teams that placed first were Algebra I Written, Geometry Written, Algebra II Written, PreCalculus Written, Frosh/Soph 8 person, Junior/Senior 8 person, Frosh/Soph 2 person, Junior/Senior 2 person, and the Calculator team.

The first-place individuals were Freshmen Kenny Dewes, Sophomore Ryan Deskovich, Junior Nathan Angelo San Gabriel, and Senior Mark Wantuck. 

Regionals allowed the team to move onto the Finals on April 6 at Illinois State University where they finished their season 6th in the Illinois. 

All grade levels are welcome to be a part of the math team. Every student who participates on the team holds impressive personal and smaller group records. 

Sophomore Lucy Alford points out one person in particular. “I have to give a shout out to Ryan Deskovich because he is honestly too smart for his own good,” she said. Deskovich has placed first in every competition he has attended this year, and did very well at finals. 

The team was started in 1978 by Mr. Glennon, who still runs it today. In order to join the team, students must be in an honors, or AP class if they’re a senior. The best way to get onto the team is to talk to Mr. Glennon or Mr. Nicholson and to show up to practices after school.