For the seventh consecutive year, and the twenty-second time in the past 25 years, Nimitz High School won the Region IX Academic Decathlon championship with a score of 44,911 points, and will advance to state competition. MacArthur High School will also advance to state after scoring a total of 36,913 at regional competition.
Nimitz scored 44,911 points, while Coppell High School was second with a score of 40,452 points. Nimitz also won the Super Quiz, placed second in the Super Quiz Relay, and won a total of 70 medals. For the second consecutive year, high-point scorer at the meet and the top “A” student was Senior Allison Roderick. Joel Sam placed first and Carly Taylor was second among the “B” students, respectively. Nimitz “C” students grabbed the top spots, with Trey Masters placing second; Marlene Hernandez was third with a perfect score in the Super Quiz Relay; and Rumaldo Robles placed fourth. Coaches of the team are Becky and Carey Christenberry, and Jeremy Chumley, Greg Jackson, and Greg Thomson. The Vikings are currently ranked third in the state among all 5A division schools.
MacArthur was one of the top 40 teams that will advance to state competition. Natalie Bradford was the second highest scorer overall in the competition and the top scorer for MacArthur. Individual medalists were Stephanie Stiehler, first place interview; Mandy Huerta third place music; and Sterling Snyder, third place literature. Contributing teams members were Matthew Martin – highest scoring for B students – and Anna Bachand, David Ashenhart, CJ Outland, and Nicholas Fairbanks.
For the second year in a row, Irving High School broke the 30,000 point barrier as a team, with a score of 31,077 points and earning them tenth place at regional competition. Alvaro Aleman and Alvin Nguyen were the highest scorers on the Irving High team in their respective divisions. Outstanding individual performances in interview are silver medalist Jane Lee, and gold medalist Ed Nuno. Saul Membreno received the bronze medalist in speech. In the scholastic division, Harley Rubio – with a score of 904 – missed out on a medal in essay by one point. Irving High coaches are Randall Winter, Julie Pritchett, Victor Galanis, Judith Nevil, Kristi Rucker, Carol Lawler, and Sandra Pennal.
Despite several setbacks, Single Academy team made a strong effort with each student on the team earning 44 percent of the team points awarded. Singley Academy plans to come back next year for a stronger showing at the regional competition.
State competition is February 24-26 in Houston. Irving ISD is tentatively scheduled to host the state tournament in 2016.
