All five of Lubbock ISD’s high school Academic Decathlon teams qualified for state at this past weekend’s regional decathlon competitions. In the large school division, Monterey High School won the Region I contest with a score of 45,035 points—a school record. Coronado won second at the Region I meet and qualified for state as an at-large team. In the medium school division, Lubbock High attended the Region IX meet, finished third overall and also qualified as an at-large team. In the small school division, Estacado and Talkington both qualified for state winning first and second place, respectively, at the Region I meet.
Lubbock ISD is the only district in Texas to have teams in all three divisions (small, medium and large) represented at the state meet. Additionally, LISD is the only district in the state (with five or more high schools) to have all of their high schools qualify for the state meet.
Academic Decathlon teams may qualify for the state meet either by winning their division at the regional level, as long as there are at least five teams competing in that same division, or by earning a cumulative point total high enough to allow them to compete as an “at-large” team. Monterey qualified by winning their division against five other teams. The other four high schools qualified as “at-large” teams.
Coordinator for Lubbock ISD’s Decathlon program Angela Carter said, “We watch these kids work from May until January for moments like this. To have every single high school in the district qualify for state… it’s extraordinary. We have coaches who spend countless hours dedicated to building relationships, fostering study habits, and creating ideal learning situations, and their efforts cannot be overlooked. As some districts choose to sacrifice programs that foster the gifted and talented, Lubbock ISD has the foresight and the wisdom to continue to hold the program as a priority. The coaches and students are grateful for that support. And it’s wonderful to see that it pays off!”
(News release from Lubbock ISD)
