East Fairview and Johnson Corners Christian Academy Students Excel at MATHCOUNTS Competition

McKenzie County and Region 4 math contest showcases top student talent

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

Students from East Fairview and Johnson Corners Christian Academy competed in the annual MATHCOUNTS competition for junior high students on February 4th. The East Fairview team took first place in the McKenzie County competition, while the Johnson Corners Christian Academy team placed second. Several individual students from East Fairview also placed in the top three for the county. The top teams and individuals from the regional competition will advance to the state MATHCOUNTS competition in March.

Why it matters

MATHCOUNTS is a nationwide program aimed at improving math skills and interest among middle school students, a crucial age for developing a strong foundation in mathematics. The competition results highlight the strong math programs and talented students in the McKenzie County and Region 4 area, which could lead to future success in STEM fields.

The details

The MATHCOUNTS competition tests students' abilities in subjects like probability, statistics, linear algebra, and polynomials. The East Fairview team consisted of Chloe Bushnell, Liam Hager, Blake Lyle, and Tillie Sponheim, while the Johnson Corners Christian Academy team was made up of Gage Maertens, Sofee Murray, Talia Murray, and Rebekah Randall. Individually, Taylor Poulsen from East Fairview took first place, Andrew Bednarik from East Fairview took second, and Taylee Hunsaker from East Fairview took third.

  • The MATHCOUNTS competition for McKenzie County and Region 4 took place on February 4, 2026.
  • The state MATHCOUNTS competition will be held on March 30, 2026 in Bismarck.

The players

East Fairview School

A school in East Fairview, North Dakota that had the first place team and top three individual finishers in the McKenzie County MATHCOUNTS competition.

Johnson Corners Christian Academy

A school in the McKenzie County, North Dakota area that had the second place team in the MATHCOUNTS county competition.

Nikki Johnsrud

The McKenzie County Superintendent of Schools and the County and Region 4 Coordinator for the MATHCOUNTS competition.

Mr. Roemmich

A teacher at Watford City High School whose students assisted in scoring the county MATHCOUNTS competition.

Farmers Union Oil

The company that provided part of the lunch for the students at the close of the MATHCOUNTS competition in McKenzie County.

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What they’re saying

“Students were enthusiastic on both sides to see how math can work in their lives and be fun.”

— Nikki Johnsrud, McKenzie County Superintendent of Schools, County and Region 4 Coordinator (The Roundup)

What’s next

The top two teams and top eight individuals from the Region 4 competition will advance to the state MATHCOUNTS competition in Bismarck on March 30, 2026.

The takeaway

The strong performance of students from East Fairview and Johnson Corners Christian Academy in the MATHCOUNTS competition highlights the quality of math education and student talent in the McKenzie County and Region 4 area. This could lead to future success for these students in STEM fields and careers.