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The Academic Decathlon is a competition where students from schools all over the Tulare County districts compete in ten different subject areas. The topic of this year’s 2011-2012 competition is the “Age of Empire.” The areas students compete in are: super quiz, language and literature, art, music, science, economics, mathematics, speech, interviews, and writing.

There are three divisions that make up each team, they are divided by the student’s GPA; varsity-0.00-2.99, scholastic-3.00-3.74, and honors-3.75-4.00+. Each division consists of three students, but when the students compete, only the top two out of three scores are represented for the team.

The Granite Hills decathletes are returning champions; they are defending their title after ten years in a row of winning first place at county and moving on to State competition in Sacramento.

Ms. Lombardi, coach of the decathlon team at Granite Hills, holds practice every Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 5:30. When the competition gets closer, the decathletes go to her house on Saturdays for a study session there.

“I think we worked very hard and we deserve to win this year,” said Stephanie Hicks a sophomore decathlete.

Lombardi is very excited about this year’s competition. She believes that they have a good chance of winning and is feeling very confident about the team.

“I have a really good feeling about this year. I feel more confident than I have ever felt, so I hope it’s not a bad sign because I am really superstitious,” said Lombardi.

Although, not every decathlete is as confident about the competition as coach Lombardi is. John Petree, a junior at Granite Hills, has his doubts about the competition. This is his second year in the decathlon and he says this year’s topic is dull and boring.

“I’m not that sure we will win yet, and I’m not confident with the topic. Whatever happens at this competition, I won’t be surprised,” said Petree.

This year’s competition is going to be exciting as the decathletes battle against their town rivalry, Harmony Magnet. Granite Hills is doing their part in supporting the Academic Decathlon team by having signs up all around the school wishing all the decathletes good luck.

To learn more, visit:

Tulare County Academic Decathlon

California Academic Decathlon

USA Academic Decathlon

Above Photo: Back row L-R: Mishelle Odam-Salazar, and Jairo Madrigal. Front row L-R: Decathletes study hard for the upcoming competition. (by Adriana Felix)

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