Coach Reports Good Day at Academic Decathlon
Nine Moorpark High School students competed in the first round of brain busting at the U.S. Academic Decathlon in Phoenix on Thursday, ending the six-hour day of tests, speeches and interviews feeling confident, coach Larry Jones said.
“They’re starting to feel the pressure, because everyone’s gunning for them,” Jones said Thursday afternoon as members of his exhausted team napped. “But they’re handling it so well.”
The two-day competition began with written essay, literature and art tests in the morning, followed by speeches and interviews in the afternoon. Despite some minor glitches, Jones said that team members felt good about their performances.
“The kids felt like they rolled with everything really well,” he said. “They didn’t let anything throw them.”
Moorpark is hoping to reclaim the national title won by the school in 1999.
Competition continues today with tests in math, science, economics and music, as well as the popular Super Quiz event.
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