Pius X repeated as the State Champion in only their fifth appearance at the Nebraska State Academic Decathlon on Feb. 20-21 at the University of Nebraska – Omaha. The win earned Pius X a bid to the National competition to be held in Garden Grove, Calif., on April 16-18.
Pius X’s academic decathletes were awarded a total of 19 gold, 14 silver, and 12 bronze medals. Each of the nine members of Pius X’s first place team also will receive a college scholarship. Pius X took the top spot in the large school division, outscoring Creighton Prep, Daniel Gross, Omaha Burke, Omaha Central, Omaha North, and Seward High School.
Pius X’s win was highlighted by Philip Hanigan earning a perfect score in science. Liam Kruse and Philip Hanigan placed 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the Honors Division. Henry Jaros placed 2nd overall in the Scholastic Division, and Noah Schimenti and Esther Brown placed 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the Varsity Division. Other Pius X students who placed in the competition at the state level include: Catherine Krueger (Honors and alternate Honors), Jacob Schreiber (Scholastic), Anna Tetherow (Scholastic), Freddie Barie (Varsity), Madeline May (alternate), Kathryn Noel (alternate), and Alyssa Jensen (alternate). The Academic Decathlon is coached by Ann Kotopka, Mary Jo Kopf, Shiela Sievert, Margaret Kaiser-Woodward, and Father Steve Mills. To find out more about the Piux X Foundation, visit http://foundation.piusx.net.
Picture cutline: Pius X’s winning team members were (left to right): Jacob Schreiber, Freddie Barie, Anna Tetherow, Henry Jaros, Catherine Krueger, Noah Schimenti, Esther Brown, Philip Hanigan, and Liam Kruse.