The Friendswood High School Academic Decathlon (AD) team triumphed at the Texas Academic Decathlon State Championship in San Antonio this past weekend, marking a historic win for the school.
Under the guidance of coaches Elizabeth Woodley, Ray Monahan, and Barrett Stephens, the team secured the Medium School Division title.
This also marks the first back-to-back victories for the team since 2013-14. This victory is also notable as it represents the program’s 20th state championship.
The 2024 team, remarkably composed of seven newcomers out of nine members, not only won the overall team competition but also excelled in the “Super Quiz” segment. Although the Super Quiz does not contribute to the overall team score, it is a highly anticipated and enjoyable part of the competition.
The success of the FHS team was further highlighted by individual accomplishments, with each team member earning a $1,250 scholarship for their first-place finish.
Among the standout performers was Ethan Yang, who secured first place in the Honors Division with a staggering 9,265.7 points, making him the top scorer across all divisions in Texas. This impressive achievement underscores the exceptional talent and dedication present within the FHS team.
Additionally, Dylan Stopher and Llogan Helgeson showcased their academic prowess by placing second in the Scholastic Division and third in the Varsity Division, respectively, both of whom were participating in their first Academic Decathlon.
The individual results reflect the depth of knowledge and skill across a variety of subjects, with team members earning accolades in categories ranging from Essay and Literature to Speech, Interview, and more.
The collective effort and achievements of the team members in their respective divisions underscore the comprehensive preparation and hard work that contributed to their success.
Coaches Elizabeth Woodley, Ray Monahan, and Barrett Stephens extended their heartfelt gratitude to the Friendswood community for its unwavering support, from judging speeches and interviews to the encouragement provided during the team’s final preparations.
The coaches also celebrated the sense of teamwork, dedication, and the joy the team brought to the entire experience, making this championship a memorable one, particularly for Coach Woodley, who described it as a memorable way to make her “exit.”
