UMD CS Team Wins ICPC Silver, Extends Medal Streak

A student team from the University of Maryland’s Department of Computer Science earned a silver medal at the 2026 North America Championship of the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC), held March 22 at the University of Central Florida.

The team placed third overall among 52 qualifying teams from universities across the United States and Canada, securing the North America South Division title and advancing to the World Finals, scheduled for November 15- 20, 2026, in Dubai.

Representing UMD were graduate student Danny Mittal and undergraduate students Sujay Konda and Austin Zou. The team was coached by Professor of Computer Science Mohammad Hajiaghayi, with support from student assistant coach Sam Lee.

ICPC is an annual global competition in which university teams solve algorithmic problems under time constraints. Established in 1974, the contest features a five-hour format with real-time judging and a live scoreboard tracking rankings, problems solved and penalty times.

Hajiaghayi said the contest continues to set a high standard for students working in algorithm design and problem-solving, particularly as teams adapt to new challenges each year.

“As coach, I’m proud that UMD is the first university in NAC history to earn medals four years in a row and win the South Division each year,” said Hajiaghayi, who holds the Jack and Rita G. Minker Professorship and a joint appointment in the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies. “That consistency reflects the depth of our student talent and a focus on merit, even as teams and problem sets change.”

The team’s early performance helped establish its standing in a competitive field, as quick problem-solving in the opening hour allowed Maryland to gain momentum against top programs from across the United States and Canada.

Mittal said the team emphasized steady communication and consistent execution throughout the contest, particularly during the opening stretch when early progress can influence the final rankings.

“I’m proud of how we built on last year’s fifth-place finish to take third this time,” Mittal said. “We solved five problems in the first hour, more than any other team, which shows what we can do when we stay consistent. That gives us confidence heading into the World Finals.”

With the result, UMD extended its streak of medals at the North America Championship to four consecutive years, with podium finishes from 2023 through 2026. The program also secured the South Division title in each of those years.

The team’s qualification marks the 13th time UMD has advanced to the ICPC World Finals since 1999, according to contest records. The finals will bring together top teams from regional competitions worldwide.

“We finished just two places short of a medal at last year’s World Finals, so this result gives us confidence heading into this year,” Konda said. “It shows our preparation is paying off and that we are moving in the right direction. We’re looking forward to building on that momentum as we prepare for Dubai.”

—Story by Samuel Malede Zewdu, CS Communications