CHARLESTON — Uni High is one step away from winning its 10th state title in the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Academic Challenge.

Uni advanced to the state finals after winning the Division Unlimited sectional title Thursday at Eastern Illinois University.

Three Uni seniors won their events: Linda Song, biology; Ethan Berl, computer science; and Jake Seeley, English.

Uni finished with 474.35 points. Centennial (464.64) placed second in the division, followed by Danville (423.07).

The WYSE Academic Challenge is a competition consisting of 40-minute tests in seven different areas: biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering graphics, English, mathematics, and physics.

The road to the state championship begins with regional contests held in February, followed by sectionals in March. The state finals will take place April 14-17 at the University of Illinois.

In the regional round, held Feb. 4 at Parkland College, Uni also won the Division Unlimited title, defeating Centennial (the only opponent) 481-467.

Three Uni seniors also earned first-place awards in that contest: Angie Jin, biology; Berl, computer science; and Lucy Zhang, English.

WYSE schools compete in one of four divisions, based on enrollment: 300, 700, 1500, and unlimited. Uni traditionally competes in Division Unlimited during regionals and sectionals, then moves to a smaller division for the state meet.

Uni began competing in WYSE in 1996, when the school finished third in Division 300 (schools under 300 students). Second place followed in 1997. A string of nine consecutive state titles began in 1998, all in Division 300.

Last year, Uni moved up to Division 700 at the state contest and finished second behind reigning champ University of Chicago Lab School.

If Uni competes in Division 700 again this year, the team's state final will be on April 15. If the school decides to go back to 300, the final will be on April 14. All WYSE state contests take place at the Illini Union.

See the lists below for Uni students who placed in the top three of their events at sectionals and regionals. Physics teacher Jim Carrubba is team coach.

UNI RESULTS: WYSE SECTIONAL, EASTERN ILLINIOIS UNIVERSITY

Biology

• 1st place: Linda Song
• 3rd place: Larissa Pittenger

Chemistry

• 3rd place: Geoffrey Beck

Computer Science

• 1st place: Ethan Berl
• 2nd place: Joe Leigh

Engineering Graphics

• 2nd place: Mike Renner

English

• 1st place: Jake Seeley
• 2nd place: Lucy Zhang
• 3rd place: Sarah Pfander

Math

• 2nd place: Ethan Berl, Joe Leigh
• 3rd place: Mike Renner

Physics

• 2nd place: Jake Seeley
• 3rd place: Geoffrey Beck

UNI RESULTS: WYSE REGIONAL, PARKLAND COLLEGE

Biology

• 1st place: Angie Jin
• 2nd place: Linda Song
• 3rd place: Larissa Pittenger

Chemistry

• 3rd place: Jennifer Roloff

Computer Science

• 1st place: Ethan Berl
• 2nd place: Joe Leigh
• 3rd place: Micah Berman

Engineering Graphics

• 2nd place: Mike Renner
• 3rd place: Micah Berman

English

• 1st place: Lucy Zhang
• 2nd place: Sarah Pfander
• 3rd place: Ruth Welch

Math

• 2nd place: Ethan Berl
• 3rd place: Mike Renner

Physics

• 2nd place: Jake Seeley
• 3rd place: Jessica Stark