MACON — Mercer University’s computer programming team, the Binary Bears, placed three teams in the top 10 at an international coding competition held at Middle Georgia State University on Nov. 16.
Mercer sent three teams of three students to the 2024 Association for Computing Machinery Southeast USA Regional Programming Contest, where they took on 13 challenging problems. Mercer’s top team of junior Rajwol Chapagain, senior Chris Brown and senior Van Nipper solved seven problems and placed second overall in the southeastern Division II standings. The Bears finished ahead of Mississippi State University, the University of North Florida, the University of West Florida, Stetson University and the College of Charleston.
Mercer sent two other teams that both ranked in the top 10 overall of the Southeastern Division II results. A second Mercer team with junior Troy Kleger, senior Siddharth Mohan and senior Raj Patel finished seventh overall with six problems solved. Another team consisting of junior Ziyan Hirani, senior Abby Hirtle and junior Brian Rogerson finished in ninth place with five problems solved.
“The teams’ teamwork and time management were simply fantastic throughout. Each team member had a specific role to optimize their workflow. I could not be prouder of them,” said Dr. Andy Digh, associate professor of computer science and faculty adviser to the Binary Bears.
All three teams are made up of undergraduate students majoring in computer science, computer engineering or biochemistry and molecular biology.
