The skillful performance of 15 students has placed Bridgewater-Raritan High School among the elite in the field of physics throughout New Jersey
The Bridgewater-Raritan High School students participated in the 2026 PhysicsBowl, a competition that earned third place in Region 4 (New Jersey) for both First Year and Second Year Physics students.
According to Dr. Eleni Arapaki, the AP Physics 1 and 2 Teacher at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, the PhysicsBowl is an international high school competition that challenges students in physics through a timed, multiple-choice exam. The contest is divided into two divisions: Division I for first-year physics students and Division II for second-year students.
High school teams compete regionally against other schools by taking a 40-question, 45-minute, timed, multiple-choice test under their school’s supervision. Exam questions are based on topics and concepts covered in a typical high school physics course.
Dr. Arapaki reported that the contest took place between March 18 and April 4 this year, and covered topics typically found in high school physics curricula.
“Teams are scored based on the top five individual scores from each school, contributing to the overall team ranking. Students are recognized for their performance, and high achievers earn international recognition for both themselves and their schools,” she said.
“Each Division has 15 regions that have been established across the country to allow schools in each region to compete against one another. Specialized math and science schools compete in their own region. In our school, the 2026 exam was given on March 24,” she stated.
Dr. Arapaki added
“We competed in both divisions 1 & 2 in Region 4, and we were ranked third in New Jersey in both divisions! “
Here are the Bridgewater-Raritan High School students who competed in the PhysicsBowl.
Team 1- First Year Physics (AP Physics 1 students)
1. Vivian Chao
2. Luhang Liu
3. Chayan Malkari
4. Pranav Swarma
5. Vedaang Verma
6. Charles Wang
7. Joanna Xu
8. Ethan Zhang
“The five highest-performing scorers on the Division 1 team, from highest to lowest, are: Charles Wang, Joanna Xu, Vivian Chao, Pranav Swarma, and Vedaang Verma,” Dr. Arapaki said.
Team 2- Second Year of Physics (APC & AP2 students)
1. Arjun Agarwal
2. Shiven Das
3. Suyash Gupta
4. Wesley Lin
5. Alexander Masin
6. Nicholas Persson
7. Matthew Pizzelanti
“The five highest performing scorers of The Division 2 team from highest to lowest are:
Suyash Gupta, Wesley Lin, Arjun Agarwal, Shiven Das, and Matthew Pizzelanti, Dr. Arapaki said.
She also revealed that Wesley Lin, a junior in AP Physics C, participated in the F=ma competition.
According to Dr. Arapaki, 6,682 students worldwide took the exam, which featured 25 multiple-choice mechanics questions. Wesley qualified to advance to the second round exam, the USAPhO, the exam that selects the members of the USA Physics Olympiad team.
“Although Wesley did not make it to the Physics Olympiad Team, he received the Distinction for Commendable Performance, offered to students whose problem-solving efforts and dedication merit special recognition,” she said.
Dr. Arapaki concluded.
“The United States Physics Olympiad (USAPhO) recognizes the outstanding achievement and dedication of high school students who excel in one of the nation’s most challenging physics competitions. In 2026, 317 students earned distinction for their participation and performance on the USAPhO exam. This list celebrates their commitment, perseverance, and deep engagement with physics.