The Illinois Science Olympiad division of the U-High Science Team dominated the first invitational of their season.

The competition among 31 ISO teams took place Dec. 8 at Harlem High School. The teams participated in 23 competition rounds for the lowest overall point tallies. U-High’s varsity ISO team took first place with 99 points and the junior varsity team took second with 171.

ISO co-captain Jenna Nimer said the team doesn’t normally do this well at the first competition, but their success might be partly because of new, promising members and different captains.

Looking forward, Jenna said the team should still be vigilant.

“Even though we got first, I’m taking the win with a grain of salt because the competition wasn’t strong,” she said, adding that competition later in the season will be better prepared.

ISO also has invitationals on Jan. 12 and Feb. 9.