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For the first time in my school, the number of people has exceeded the limit (15 people). Our school Science Olympiad team is unfamiliar with selection of team members so it was based on a first come first serve basis. There was no selection process. Currently, there are 18 people that signed up 2-3 events but that would go against the rules. I don't want to be mean by trying to kick out 3 people and assigning them as alternates. How would you guys try to limit the number of people in your team?
It sounds like a minor problem but I don't think anyone is considering to be an alternate.

18 is pretty close - it's likely that a few will fade away naturally. I notice you're in the Bay Area - invitationals are a good way to judge team members.

Most Regionals in your area allow for multiple teams per school. If you can get a few more people, you might be able to form a second team.

bearasauras wrote: ↑September 4th, 2019, 9:25 pm Most Regionals in your area allow for multiple teams per school. If you can get a few more people, you might be able to form a second team.

The question then becomes, how do you select the first team. It's a good consideration, but I don't think it actually answers the core question.

We do this by seeing what combination of people will fill all 23 events. If there are multiple options, we also consider invitational results.

Thanks for your input.
Unfortunately, our team isn't super serious about it so last year we only did one regional. We have people's results.
Apparently for one event (2 people) it was signed up but based on the ranking I assume that they didn't even show up at the actual event (got last place). That is another issue. My captain and I haven't brought up the problem with 2 of the members from the last season.
Our events are already filled with 18 people so that doesn't solve the issue.
I don't think a second team is an option because there will only be 5 people on B team so it wouldn't work.

My team used to be in a similar boat. The first way to select team members is based on dedication and attendance at meetings, i.e. keep those who regularly attend practices and show commitment, and if anyone isn't showing up, consider making them alternates. If that doesn't work, if you have more people interested in an event than can compete in that event (e.g. 4 people interested in Astro) then hold a run-off to decide on a priority order for that event. In conjunction with this, I might suggest that anyone experienced or particularly committed should try to pick up a 4th event, as it's very difficult to fill a 15-person roster with everyone only doing 2-3 events.

Good luck this year!

Just move your team to NC, and then you'll be allowed to keep all 18 people

But in all seriousness, I think you should address the partnership that is suspected of being a no-show first. Ask them what happened (did they actually not show up, or did they just bomb the event?), and consider removing those people from the team or making them alternates.

You are right.
I will ask my advisor how to deal with this issue and ask them to speak for themselves. This happened 6 months ago but I never talked about this problem with those two people.
EastStroudsburg13, I want to clarify what you are saying. Dedication + attendance is a first priority, right? I definitely agree with that.

eagerlearner102 wrote: ↑September 5th, 2019, 4:38 pm Dedication + attendance is a first priority, right?

Yes! Those who are dedicated to Science Olympiad and who are consistently showing up to prepare for their events are most likely to perform great at tournaments, since they'll be more connected to the team/their partners in general, and will have spent more time preparing for their events.