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Jax State Programming Team Wins Gold and Bronze at ICPC Southeast USA Division 2 Competition at Georgia Tech Site

Jacksonville, AL (11/17/2025) — The Jacksonville State University Programming Team earned Gold and Bronze medals at the 2025-26 International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) Southeast USA Division 2 Competition, held at the Georgia Tech site. Competing for the first time in this prestigious event, Jax State students demonstrated outstanding teamwork, problem-solving skills, and competitive spirit among universities from across the Southeast region.

Under the leadership and coaching of Dr. Arup Ghosh, Associate Professor of Computer Science, ten students from Jacksonville State University represented the university across four teams. The JaxState1 team included Parinita Sedai, Karun Shrestha, and Oluwapamilerin Agbekorode; the JaxState2 team consisted of Utsav Shrestha, Anuska Pandey, and Aakriti Rai; the JaxState3 team featured Denzel Stinson and Rajan Pandey; and the JaxState4 team was composed of Utsav Singh and Sabin Banjara.

During the five-hour contest, teams were challenged to solve 13 algorithmic problems testing programming logic, efficiency, and collaboration. The JaxState4 team brought home the Gold Medal, while the JaxState2 team earned the Bronze Medal, an exceptional achievement for JSU's debut ICPC performance.

"I started the Jax State Programming Team in Summer 2025, and since then, I have been meeting with students every Saturday for two hours to practice competitive programming," said Dr. Ghosh. "It's incredibly rewarding to see our students earn awards at our very first ICPC participation."

The team began their journey to Atlanta on November 8 at 6 a.m. It returned to campus around 10 p.m., energized by their success and the opportunity to network with students and professors from other universities across the Southeast. While Division 2 awardees do not advance to the next round, Division 1 winners have the opportunity to move forward and potentially compete in the ICPC World Finals.

At the closing ceremony, the competition organizers also presented the Gold Medal to Dr. Ghosh, recognizing his role as the coach of all Jax State teams.

Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Ghosh expressed gratitude for the institutional and community support that made the achievement possible.

"I would like to sincerely thank the Department of Mathematical, Computing, and Information Sciences; the College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences at JSU; the Human-Technology Interaction Research Lab; the IEEE Alabama Section; and the IEEE Jax State Student Branch for their continued support," he said.

This accomplishment highlights the growing strength of Jacksonville State University's Department of Mathematical, Computing, and Information Sciences. It reflects the university's commitment to hands-on, team-based learning in computing and technology.

About Jacksonville State University: Founded in 1883 as a state teachers' college, Jacksonville State University has grown from humble beginnings into the Alabama regional university with the highest percentage of accredited programs. Located in the Appalachian foothills midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, Jax State offers more than 150 courses of study, including over 40 online programs, at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To learn more, visit www.jsu.edu, call 1-800-231-JAX1, or e-mail jaxfacts@jsu.edu.

Media Attachments

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Members of the Jax State Programming Team celebrate their Gold and Bronze medals at the 2025–26 ICPC Southeast USA Division 2 Competition, held at the Georgia Tech site. Pictured (left to right): Denzel Stinson, Rajan Pandey, Oluwapamilerin Agbekorode, Karun Shrestha, Utsav Singh, Sabin Banjara, Utsav Shrestha, contest director David Van Brackle, coach Dr. Arup Ghosh, Aakriti Rai, Anuska Pandey, and Parinita Sedai.

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