Diminutive Decathlete Is a Big Winner

She’s sweet and petite, and this week she took the Academic Decathlon by storm.

Dale Shuger, 17, an academic decathlete from the El Camino Real High School team, placed first overall in the Los Angeles Unified School District for her individual performance.

Raking in 8,921 points out of a possible 10,000 and seven gold medals out of 10 events, Dale said Wednesday that she felt terrific, despite her team’s placing second to the Marshall High School team, which will go on to compete in the state decathlon competition.

“I didn’t expect this at all,” Dale said.

The winners were announced Tuesday night before a crowd of about 500 competitors and 700 coaches, parents and friends during a festive dinner at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles.

Dale, at 4-foot-10, was nearly hidden by her huge trophy. She also juggled 10 medals and three plaques she won as she left the stage.

Since July, Dale and the other eight members of the El Camino team have devoted hundreds of hours studying biotechnology, economics, fine arts, literature, social studies, essay writing, public speaking and interviewing techniques.

But this ace student has also taken on three advanced placement classes this semester--honors English and Spanish III, plus a role in the school’s production of the play, “Working,” which opens today.

And she’s only a junior.

Which means the big question on everyone’s mind is: Will she be on the El Camino team next year?

Dale said she is unsure.

“It would be awesome to do it two years, but it would be hard to top this,” she explained.

“It was a lot of pressure, a lot of fun, but just too much memorization, and it’s too competitive,” said Dale.

She said one of the strongest drawing points of decathlon competition for her was the teamwork involved.

Kneeling by her awards Tuesday night, she seemed to be reconsidering her decision of a few weeks ago not to return to the team next year.

“This is pretty good bribery,” Dale said.

El Camino coach Dave Roberson, for one, would really like to see her return.

“If Dale considers doing it again, I know she would have a solid chance at a repeat gold-placing,” Roberson said.