[AUDIO included] The talented Alex Zhai adds the title of U.S. Physics Team member to his already long list of impressive academic accomplishments. Zhai will attend a training camp at the University of Maryland this May with the other 23 members of the team in hopes of becoming one of the five members of the U.S. Traveling Team, which will compete this July in the 39th International Physics Olympiad, to be held in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Senior Alex Zhai is used to being one of the top math students in the country, having represented the United States twice in the International Mathematical Olympiad. Now, he's taken his place among the nation's top physics students as well, according to results announced by the American Association of Physics Teachers. He is one of just 158 students nationwide who still have a chance to represent the U.S. at the International Physics Olympiad this summer.

[AUDIO included] Alex Zhai has represented the United States twice at the International Mathematical Olympiad. Now he is a step closer to doing the same for the U.S. in physics. Zhai, a senior, was one of only 415 students from around the country — and one of only 30 from Illinois high schools — to advance to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Physics Team selection process. The students are competing for a chance to represent the United States at the 39th International Physics Olympiad this summer in Vietnam.