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In a repeat performance from last year, Hemet High scored second and Elsinore was third in the overall team awards.
Hemet West Valley coach Billy Valenzuela was “cautiously optimistic” about his school’s chances of pulling a fourth consecutive victory before the announcement was made.
“I feel like we did everything we could possibly do,” he said.
West Valley decathlete Becca Nevarez was her team’s only returnee.
“It was easier this time because I knew how to study better,” said Becca, 17, who also got a first place medal for science, among others. “I’m pretty competitive. I’m in regular sports (softball) and to challenge myself with my mind too is rewarding.”
On Jan. 28, more than 150 members from 18 teams wrote essays, delivered prepared and impromptu speeches and participated in interviews with judges designed around this year’s theme: The Age of Empire.
Decathletes started Super Quiz written exams at 8 a.m. on Saturday, covering math, language arts, music and more at the cafeteria at Heritage High School in Menifee. This accounts for 60 percent of the Super Quiz score.
At 2 p.m., the fast-paced oral part of the quiz began with peers, family and teachers in the stands of the school’s gymnasium cheering them on.
This final leg of the competition is the only part open to the public and counts for 40 percent of the Super Quiz score. Both parts combined add up to 10 percent of the overall competition.
Three levels of three-person teams from each school accumulate individual and team points throughout the competition. Honors level is for students with a grade point average of 3.75 or higher, scholastic is for those with 3.0 to 3.74 GPA and varsity designates less than 3.0 GPA.
Hemet High Decathlon coach Art Plinski has been part of the program for 20 years. The school won the top spot 11 years in a row before losing to West Valley three years ago. Hemet emerged the strongest finishers in Saturday’s Super Quiz, besting West Valley (second) and Elsinore (third).
“We’re usually neck and neck with West Valley,” Plinski said. “West Valley has a great program.”
Hemet High senior Daniel Casey said he entered the competition because he wanted the challenge.
“I felt I did strong in art and economics,” said Daniel, 17, who competed in the scholastic category. He received first place medals for those categories and more.
Plinski said students were given the materials during the summer and spent about 25 to 30 hours in the past few months “giving their lives to the decathlon.”
Ryan Klopp, Elsinore High School coach for the seventh year, said his school has placed third the last couple of years.
Elsinore High junior Lauren Wilson was the youngest member of her team and answered 9 out of 10 questions correctly during the oral quiz as part of the honors level team.
“I just like learning – this feels right for me,” said Lauren, 16. She got many individual awards, including a first place medal for science in her division.
The state competition runs from March 15-18.
A complete list of winners, including individual high scores in each division will be available Monday on the Riverside County Office of Education website at http://www.rcoe.k12.ca.us/newsroom/20120124_Decathon.html
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