FRANCONIA –  40 + 12 = 27,000. That’s 27,000 points from 40 medals and 12 different medalists. And that would be the mathematical equation for North Penn’s Academic Decathlon team in their first place finish of the first official competition of the season this Saturday at Souderton High School. For North Penn, it is only step one along a road they hope will take them all the way to Anchorage for Nationals.

Advisor Nancy Craig understands the importance of the team getting off to such a strong start in the Academic Decathlon season.

“Getting strong scores at this stage in the competition helps show our strengths and weaknesses as well as comparing ourselves to the other teams across the state. Its never too early to look at our major competition in central and western PA,” said Craig.

In the Honors Division, Cathy Yang won a gold medal for overall High Scoring as well as six additional medals in Music, Mathematics, Literature, Social Science, and Art. Yang Yue won six medals in Economics, Mathematics, Literature, Art, Music, and Social Science. Palak Shah won a medal in Science and Glen Neiman won a medal in Mathematics.

In the Scholastic Division it was Saf Rahman who earned a gold medal in the overall scoring as well as five medals in Music, Art, Literature, Science, and Social Science. Chirag Bhatia accrued four medals in Economics, Art, Music, and Social Science. Parth Nigam won four medals in Mathematics, Music, Literature, and Art. William Young earned a gold medal in Art.

In the Varsity Division Justin Orefice won gold in the overall scoring as well as six medals in Economics, Art, Literature, Science, Social Science, and Mathematics. Joe Donatucci won two medals in Art and Social Science. Dan Sibel won a medal in Literature, and Nokrane Ahamadi won a medal in Mathematics.

While this week’s numbers were impressive, Craig also knows both how difficult things can be going forward, and what the payoff is in the end.

“Our scores last weekend are competitive with prior years so if the team stays focused we have a good chance of placing as top 2-3 teams to qualify for states at State College in March. But only the top team in each state qualifies for Nationals so competition is fierce. And as North Penn has been state champion for the last three years, others are hoping to take our place at the top. This year Nationals are being held in Anchorage Alaska in April so keeping our streak alive as well as competing at Nationals is great motivation,” explained Craig.

North Penn is back in competition at Eastern Regionals held at North Penn High School in February.