TOWAMENCIN – Many of the sports offered at high schools are physical, nearly all of which involving a ball of some sort as well as some blood, sweat, and tears. However, while football, baseball, lacrosse, and soccer are certainly a worthwhile part of any school’s competitive repertoire, physical activities are not the only way for students to demonstrate their skills. One such activity, which brings its own blood sweat and tears is presented in the form of the Academic Decathlon, a rigorous competition that stresses one’s intellectual prowess and quick thinking. School districts across the state as well as the country prepare of it every year, putting their students through several championships. On Friday and Saturday, March 3-4 in North Penn’s own halls, the State Championship was held.

After two days of questions, stress, and anxiety, North Penn emerged victorious, garnering the state title on its own turf.

“It felt very sweet to win,” said Academic Decathlon coach, Nancy Craig. Craig has been with the program for several years, seeing the team through a consecutive three win streak of State Championships, beginning in 2013. However, in 2016 the trophy just barely eluded them.

“We missed last year by only 400 points out of 44000, so it was very heartbreaking,” Craig said. “But this year, here in North Penn, us bringing home the trophy was very awesome.”

The process of studying for the State Championships is no small undertaking. Starting as early as September, Academic Decathlon students begin the arduous task of preparing for the competition.

“We would study about two or three times per week,” said varsity member and senior, Nathaniel Maier. “We would also spend time outside of school preparing, mainly meeting at McDonald’s or going to someone’s house.”

For most North Penn students, that kind of studying schedule seems akin to torture, especially for a senior. However, the time is well spent and the edge it provides certainly becomes invaluable during the competition. The loss North Penn took at last year’s State Championship was so small that it only equaled about one missed question per team member, hardly even a hair short. With the stakes so high, it should come as no surprise as to why students spend so much of their time reading over the books.

“Our meetings must be in the hundreds by now,” said Craig. “However, that doesn’t account for how often students meet outside of school.”

Preparation for the competitions begins at the very beginning of the school year, as early as September. The process to get onto the Academic Decathlon team is rather similar to joining most other sports teams. Would be members can gain the materials to study during the early weeks of the school year with the idea that they will review them prior to their first competition.

“I allow students to try out,” said Craig, “In September, anyone can come out and get the materials and learn them. As they compete, those who score highest are the ones who eventually make the team. In essence, those who are willing to put forth the effort will make the team.”

All Academic Decathlon teams across the country are split into three different groups, Varsity, Scholastic, and Honors. The reason being for the split is the different classes are meant to simulate GPAs, with Honors representing the A level students and Varsity corresponding to C level.

While it may seem a bit disappointing to place on the lower level classes, students who place there rarely feel jealous or frustrated.

“I am part of Varsity,” said Maier. “Though I don’t feel too terrible about it since that is where a lot of North Penn’s strength is. It was our Varsities that really helped us win on Friday and Saturday.”

After the State Championship, North Penn emerged on top, beating out the other fifteen schools that arrived to participate. This happened in light of the fact that there were seemingly few awards being given to North Penn at the start of the award ceremony.

“The ceremony was especially stressful since we were not bringing in as many awards as other schools,” said Maier. “Naturally, after we won the Championship there was a lot of emotion. We put so much into Regionals and it was nice to see it pay off during States.”

“As I looked over the results, I realized that this was really a team effort,” Craig said. “The depth of the team is what got them to first place. At the end of it, every one of the team members had medals around their necks. It was truly a team effort and they did a fantastic job.”

Following the victory, the Academic Decathlon team celebrated with a group dinner at the American Star Diner. However, it cannot be said that their season is over. With their recent win at States, the team qualified for Nationals in Madison, Wisconsin in April. Regardless of how it turns out, the Academic Decathlon remains in good spirits and is certainly enjoying their State Championship win.