Sandpoint High School Academic Decathlon team achieves highest-ever finish at nationals
SHS' 2025 state-champion Academic Decathlon team. Back, from left: Torin Haesle, Jack Lovin, Harrison Giles, Evan Brubaker, Wyatt Lang, Bryce Landano, Becky Haag, Ellie Klippel, Julieanna Carla, Sarah Wolff, Miriam Hammond, Sophia Sperry. Front, from left: Abby Eldore and Stella Haag. In a May 2025 national contest in Des Moines, Iowa, the team finished second in its division.
Photo courtesy BECKY HAAG
DES MOINES, Iowa — After securing a seventh-consecutive state championship in March, Sandpoint High School’s Academic Decathlon team finished second in its division at a national competition hosted in Des Moines, Iowa, May 1-3.
SHS entered the competition seeded No. 12 out of 15 teams in Division III, but went on to reach the podium for the second time in team history. SHS’ second-place finish was its best ever on the national level.
In Academic Decathlon competitions, students take tests, write essays and give speeches to demonstrate knowledge in seven subject areas: art, economics, language and literature, math, music, science, and social science.
Participation in Academic Decathlon can often lead to opportunities in college and beyond; thanks to their performances in Des Moines, SHS’ nine team members took home a total of 18 individual medals and $2,000 in scholarships.
Sandpoint’s final score of 39,599 at nationals exceeded its March state contest score of 36,705. Mountain Vista High School, in Highlands Ranch, Colo., took the top spot in Division III in last week’s competition. Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy, in Erie, Pa., rounded out the podium.
While at the competition, the team took an opportunity to connect with other students from across the country, explore Des Moines’ food scene and spend time at a botanical garden.