SALISBURY — A dynamic duo of Kent County High School students brought home the gold last month at a Salisbury University computer programming competition.

Senior Sam Peregoy and junior Ben Loller took first place out of 12 teams in the second annual Eastern Shore High School Computer Programming Competition.

Loller also notched a second-place finish in the individual competition.

The coding competition was hosted Wednesday, March 29 by SU's Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology.

Kent County High School has placed both years that the competition has been held.

"We went in this year, having placed second in the prior competition, hopeful but nervous," said Kent County Public Schools Supervisor of Technology William Poore, who has served as the team's coach both years. "Ben and Sam worked exceedingly hard to prepare this year and their efforts clearly paid off."

According to the event's organizers, the goal of the competition is to bring students and teachers together for a day of computer science.

"The Eastern Shore High School Computer Programming Competition's questions and the presentation are designed to stimulate engaging computer science activity," they said. 

Poore said teams could include up to three students. He said Kent County High School was down a participant and Peregoy was the only returning member from last year's team.

"To take first place against much bigger schools, with well-established programs, and be a team member down? I was astounded," Poore said. "I want to make sure that Sam and Ben get all of the praise for their effort. I am so incredibly proud of these two young men."

Poore said Loller is already at work developing a coding program this summer to recruit potential team members for next year.