MSMS placed third at the annual SLAMT sports competition on Feb. 6-7 in Natchitoches, Louisiana, against sister schools from surrounding and regional states.

Founded by the collaboration between the Louisiana School for Mathematics, Science and the Arts, the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science and the Arts, the Alabama School for Mathematics and Science and MSMS in 1993, SLAMT is an annual Olympic-style competition held amongst a rotation of sister math and science schools from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas. SLAMT placements are totaled using a 3-point system: First place earns 3 points, second earns 2 and third earns 1. The event was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 but revived last year. 

In 2026, MSMS placed first in both soccer and tennis; second in girls’ basketball, Mario Kart and ultimate frisbee; and third in boys’ basketball, pickleball, Super Smash Bros, table tennis and volleyball.

After the nine-year hiatus, the Blue Waves brought eight juniors and seniors to compete in SLAMT last year. Senior and MSMS SLAMT Committee member Nolan Clark said the team was underprepared because the extended timeline made planning unfamiliar.

“We did not know what SLAMT truly was [last year] and what we needed to do for it,” he said. “We had no idea what we were doing and what to expect, but it ended up working out.”

Following that experience, MSMS incorporated more student involvement in this year’s event. A SLAMT council of seven past participants was created to select interested students. From a pool of senior and junior applications, 30 students were selected.

Clark said selections were based on personality and ability to fit into a team-based competition rather than athletic ability. 

“A lot of things played into the selection — representation of the school, split [between] Frazer and Goen residents, equal [numbers of] juniors and seniors and compatibility for certain team roles,” he said. “There was a heavy misconception that we cared about athletic skill, but it did not carry a great emphasis.”

Senior Brayden Smith said SLAMT this year was even more enjoyable due to the larger group.

“[This year] we upped our numbers to nearly 40 [students],” he said. “It created some space for everyone to relax and play.”

Senior Rebecca Sun said she agreed with the decision to involve more students, as it expanded the team’s activities.

“This year’s [SLAMT] was definitely a lot more lively with so many more people coming from MSMS,” she said. “We didn’t have enough people for a girls’ basketball team last year, but this year, watching them play was definitely a highlight of the trip.”

Senior and SLAMT MSMS soccer team member Kagan Labauve said he admired his opponents’ sportsmanship more than his victory.

“I cannot think of a team in our soccer schedule who were as easygoing, sportsmanlike and fun to go against as LSMSA and ASMSA,” he said. “I am extremely happy with our first-place finish, but I find myself remembering our sister schools more than I do our victory.”

Labauve said the strong school spirit fueled him both mentally and physically. 

“Without a doubt, the energy everyone had was the best thing at SLAMT. No matter which sport was being displayed, the student section was alive,” he said. “I was a bit embarrassed because I lost my voice for a whole week.” 

Junior Simeon Barnes said basketball was his favorite event and hopes to win first place at SLAMT next year.

“Basketball one hundred percent was the best,” he said. “Playing against everyone who was giving their all felt like a fever dream. I didn’t want to get out of the game or for it to end.”

On the final night of SLAMT, a party was hosted to celebrate students’ efforts throughout the competition. Labauve said the event was the perfect opportunity to connect with LSMSA and ASMSA students.

“I think I met enough people to last a lifetime,” he said. “The atmosphere there was infectious, and even though I consider myself more introverted, the people were so easygoing I didn’t feel like I was stepping outside my comfort zone. Nothing about that celebration was dull, and the somber send-off — everyone chanting ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ — is in [my] top 50 moments of my life.”  

Junior Sonora Foster said she wants to reconnect with the students she met and hopes to return for SLAMT next year.

“I am looking forward to seeing all my friends I made this year again,” she said. “[For next year], I would make communication clearer between the admin and student participants.”