Binary Bears capture second place in Southeast programming competition

Mercer ties for most issues solved, has only group to clear up each trouble on first attempt

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Mercer University’s Binary Bears computer system programming workforce brought home the second-location trophy from a regional programming competition held in Greenville, South Carolina, this earlier weekend as a part of the yearly conference of the Consortium of Computing Sciences in Colleges (CCSC). It was the very first in-person coding competitiveness for Mercer in additional than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mercer competed along with Bob Jones University, Francis Marion University, Furman University, Gardner-Webb University, Lander University and Wofford College or university.

The 7 establishments were represented by 13 groups, each individual consisting of 4 college students who experienced to share a person pc to clear up 9 unique issues making use of their programming language of choice.

In a thrilling 3-hour competition, the lead improved arms quite a few moments. Mercer was the only institution that solved all 9 difficulties in the established on its 1st endeavor using the Python programming language. The Binary Bears tied for most questions solved with Bob Jones College. 

To split the 1st-location tie, judges used penalty factors centered on time solved and range of tries. Bob Jones took first by the trim margin of eight points (1 minute equals 1 penalty point, and an incorrect submission equals 20 penalty details). Entire standings are obtainable below.

Mercer’s major group consisted of Gabe Bryant, senior personal computer science major from Marietta Isaiah Hoffman, senior laptop or computer science and math double-major from Culloden Ron Karamuca, senior laptop science important from Acworth and Jacob Strader, junior laptop or computer science main from McDonough. “They managed time proficiently and labored jointly well in solving the two most demanding problems in the ultimate hour,” explained Dr. Andy Digh, affiliate professor of pc science and faculty adviser to the Binary Bears.

Mercer’s second crew, which solved seven of 9 problems effectively, included Will Baglivio, senior math major from Marietta Samantha Scholz, senior personal computer engineering key from Bonaire Adam Steinberg, senior laptop engineering key from Dahlonega and Emily Wilbourn, senior laptop or computer science key from Jefferson. Dr. Digh praised this group for having off to a “fantastic start” by solving its to start with problem in only eight minutes.

The Binary Bears will be back in action in five weeks on March 5 when they host the Southeastern regionals of the Association for Computing Machinery’s Intercontinental Collegiate Programming Contest in Willet Science Centre.