Freeport Middle Schooler Headed to National Math Competition

Eighth grader Zach Farlow-Pour qualifies for Mathcounts national event in Florida

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:54pm

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For the first time, a student from Freeport Middle School has qualified for the prestigious Mathcounts National Competition after finishing third in the state competition. Eighth grader Zach Farlow-Pour will represent Freeport, along with three students from Falmouth, at the national event in mid-May in Orlando, Florida.

Why it matters

The Mathcounts competition is a highly regarded national math contest that challenges top middle school students, and having a student from Freeport qualify for the national event is a significant achievement for the school and community.

The details

Farlow-Pour placed third in the Mathcounts State Competition, which featured nine teams and 60 students from 15 different schools. The competition has individual and team rounds, followed by a 'countdown round' for the top 10 mathletes. This was Farlow-Pour's third time competing at the state level.

  • Freeport Middle School students competed in the state Mathcounts competition on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
  • The Mathcounts National Competition will be held in mid-May 2026 in Orlando, Florida.

The players

Zach Farlow-Pour

An eighth grade student at Freeport Middle School who placed third in the Mathcounts State Competition to qualify for the national event.

Alex Briasco-Brin

The seventh and eighth grade accelerated math teacher for Regional School Unit 5, who expressed pride in Farlow-Pour's accomplishment.

Boyd Snowden

The Mathcounts coordinator for the Maine Society of Professional Engineers, who provided details on the other Freeport Middle School students who competed in the state competition.

Mathcounts Foundation

The nonprofit organization that runs the Mathcounts competition series, which has four levels - school, chapter, state and national - for math students in grades sixth through eighth.

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What they’re saying

“Having a student qualify for nationals is absolutely wonderful, but I am most proud of what my students accomplish in the classroom.”

— Alex Briasco-Brin, Seventh and eighth grade accelerated math teacher, Regional School Unit 5

“The math in of itself is just really fun, and to just know that you can solve these problems whereas a lot of people can't.”

— Zach Farlow-Pour

What’s next

Farlow-Pour will represent Freeport, along with three students from Falmouth, in the Mathcounts National Competition happening in mid-May 2026 in Orlando, Florida.

The takeaway

Zach Farlow-Pour's qualification for the prestigious Mathcounts National Competition is a testament to the strong math education program at Freeport Middle School and the dedication of its students. This achievement highlights the school's ability to cultivate top-tier math talent and inspire students to excel in challenging STEM fields.