THE five champions of the 2012 Jamaican Mathematical Olympiad Competition are now in San Salvador, El Salvador fighting for the top regional math trophy at the 2012 Central American and Caribbean Regional Mathematical Olympiad finals.

The five local champions are: Zale Young, captain of the team from Campion College; Romain Jones, a student from Campion College; Anphernee Wilson from Herbert Morrison Technical High School; Martin McIntosh, first alternative winner from Cornwall College; and Tehakamau Ra, a second alternative winner from Immaculate Conception High School.

The five-member team was selected from among 112 students from 27 high schools who sat the May 5 final-round examination in the 2012 Jamaican Mathematical Olympiad.

The UWI Mona Department of Mathematics, which presented the event, selected 16 students for medals. They included the three best performers from Grades 7 through 11.

The five were awarded at the Jamaican Mathematical Olympiad Awards Ceremony which was held at the Mona Visitors' Lodge on June 9.

In the Grade 11 category, Young copped the first-place trophy, Shaquielle Dias from Mannings School copped the second-place trophy and Romain Jones of Campion College copped the third-place trophy.

In the Grade 10 category, Anphernee Wilson from Herbert Morrison Technical High School won first place, Martin McIntosh from Cornwall College won second place and Brittni Hickey from Campion College won third place.

Jabari Hastings from Campion College, Orville Kirkland from St Mary High School and Anubhav Pattanaik from Hillel Academy won first-, second- and third-place trophies respectively in the Grade 9 category.

In the Grade 8 category, Delano Francis from Glenmuir High School, Dominique Stewart from Ardenne High School won the first and second prizes respectively, while Aston Harris from Cornwall College and Morgan Kennedy from Immaculate Conception tied in third place.

Jason Salmon from Campion College, Kyle Pratt and Saphrah-Ann Wint from Immaculate won the first, second and third place prizes in the Grade 7 category.

The 2012 Central American and Caribbean Regional Mathematical Olympiad will take place from June 15 - 23 in San Salvador, El Salvador.