High school students compete in pumpkin catapult

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Twelve high school teams from across South Carolina are gathering to construct catapults and send pumpkins flying.

The University of South Carolina says the competition is scheduled for Saturday next to the Solomon Blatt Physical Education Center. The teams are trying to see which of them is able to use its catapult to fling balls in distance and accuracy competitions.

USC engineering students are referees in the contest, which begins at 12:30 p.m. After that, pumpkins are being tossed for the general amusement of the gathering.