RAPID CITY, S.D. (Aug. 24, 2016) – In preparation
for the 2017 International Collegiate Programming Contest World Finals, known
as the Olympics of computer science, the SD Mines Programming Team is now
training at the renowned Russian programming boot camp – the site that has
trained the world champions for the past five years.
Few U.S. teams are invited to train at the boot
camp, and the opportunity for the Mines team was made possible thanks to an
anonymous donor. The team is being challenged at a level it has not yet
experienced in regional competitions, working 12 hours a day writing programs
and learning algorithms. After a week and a half of rigorous instruction in
Russia, the team returns Sunday, Aug. 28, and will jump into regular
15-hour-per-week practices.
“The benefit of sending a team to the Russian boot
camp is that these students will receive the most advanced training in the
world and will be able to bring those techniques and algorithms back to SD
Mines where we can integrate them into our local training program and courses,”
said programming coach Antonette Logar, Ph.D.
Her co-coach Larry Pyeatt, Ph.D., is accompanying
the six students on an adventure that will sharpen their skills and broaden
their perspectives. “Not only will I be gaining skills and experience that will
help my education and career, but I will be experiencing for the first time
living in a culture overseas,” said team member Andrew Stelter.
Team members include junior computer science major
Chris Navarro, Sammamish, Wash.; junior computer science Andrew Stelter,
Mankato, Minn.; junior computer science major Micah Picasso, Sioux Falls;
senior computer science and math major Bryon Glass, Rapid City; sophomore
computer science and math major Matthew Schallenkamp, Brookings; and senior
computer science and math major Matt Dyke, Hartford.
The Excellence in Computer Programming
organization, led by former SD Mines President Richard Gowen, Ph.D., is hosting
the World Finals in Rapid City May 20-25, 2017.