Torrey Pines Again Wins Academic Decathlon Title

For the third year in a row, Torrey Pines High School has won the San Diego County Academic Decathlon title, besting second-place Patrick Henry High and third-place Rancho Buena Vista High in Vista.

It was the sixth time in 10 years that the Del Mar-area school has captured the county’s top scholastic competition.

Torrey Pines racked up 45,075 points. Patrick Henry earned 41,496 points, and Rancho Buena Vista earned 39,287.

Forty-four high school teams from around the county participated in the Nov. 14 competition.

Other major winners in the Top 10 were, in order of finish: Grossmont, La Jolla, Orange Glen in Escondido, Fallbrook, Bonita Vista in Chula Vista, Lutheran in San Diego and Granite Hills in El Cajon.

The decathlon recognizes and rewards students who have solid, well-rounded academic backgrounds. It encourages schools to showcase their academic achievers and enjoy the glory that traditionally has come to high school students through athletic events.

Torrey Pines will compete in the statewide contest in mid-March in Stockton. Last year, Torrey Pines finished 11th in California. In 1990, it finished fourth.

Torrey Pines team members are James Farrell, Bonnie Foote, Daniel Katz, Eric Cheng, Paul Lake, Dinesh Shenoy, Rebecca Cohen, Scott McDonnell and Jeff Tang. Teachers Blaze Newman and David Zehner coach the team.

For academic decathlon competition, schools field a nine-member team that must include students with varied academic backgrounds. Three students must have “A” or honor averages, three must have “B” or scholastic averages, and three must have overall “C” or varsity averages in order to ensure that competition is balanced. Judging is done by volunteers selected by the San Diego County Office of Education.

Teams compete in multiple-choice tests in economics, fine arts, grammar and literature, mathematics, science and history. They also submit essays, make prepared and impromptu speeches and face an oral interview.