A national weather forecasting contest was blown away by one ISU student.

Jeremy Grams, senior in meteorology, captured first place in the 2001-2002 National Collegiate Weather Forecasting Contest in April, beating more than 1,000 faculty, graduate students and undergraduates from 38 schools across the nation.

Grams’ team members also won second place in the contest. Others on the team were Stephen Konarik, junior in meteorology; Aaron Todd, freshman in meteorology; and Matt Grewe, freshman in meteorology, who placed second, third and fifth respectively in the freshman and sophomore competition.

“I have always been interested in the weather,” Grams said.

“Ever since a major storm came through in my hometown of North Branch, Minnesota, I have been constantly watching weather forecasts.”

Grams said his plans are to go through graduate school and then either work for the National Weather Service or as a television meteorologist.

“We have never placed so well in the competition. Having four students place so highly speaks tremendously for our meteorology program and the university,” said Bill Gallus, associate professor of geological and atmospheric sciences.

The contest, which ran from September to April, involved forecasting the precipitation amounts and temperatures for numerous cities across the country for two weeks, Monday through Thursday. This is the fourth year the university has been represented in the event.

The contest was organized by Pennsylvania State University and is supported by the American Meteorological Society and AccuWeather.