CHERRY TWP — Moniteau’s Academic Pentathlon team is the champion of the United States Academic Decathlon Online National Competition.

“I’m ecstatic. I did not think we were going to become national champions,” said first-year coach Melissa Baker.

The team of seventh- and eighth-graders earned 15 individual medals and a score of 14,221.

The team took the first part of the online competition, a language and literature essay, April 2. The remaining part of the competition, science, math, music and social studies, was completed April 17.

“The kids put in a lot of work for it, coming in on their spring break and everything, so they deserve it,” Baker said.

Levi Fleeger was the team’s highest scorer with a total of 3,060.

He was the highest scorer in the country and earned medals in all subjects.

Abbey Schandelmeier was the second-highest scorer, both on the team and in the country, with 2,964.

Abbey earned a gold medal in Super Quiz and a bronze in music.

Lake Pry was the team’s third- highest scorer with 2,283 points, earning a bronze medal in science.

Theodore Swartzentruber was the team’s highest scholastic competitor, earning a bronze overall medal with 2,276 points. He earned a bronze medal in science and a silver medal in math.

Tyler Bowser was the second- highest scorer from Moniteau in the scholastic division with 2,209. He earned a bronze medal in science and a silver in Super Quiz.

Taylor Christy also competed in the scholastic division. She earned a bronze medal in essay, contributing to an overall score of 1,934.

Halie Christy was the team’s highest scoring varsity competitor with 2,103. She earned a gold medal in Super Quiz and a silver in music.

Sadie Coffey earned 1,609 points and Jasmine Hankins scored 1,297.

The team is coached by Baker and Angela Schandelmeier, a Moniteau High School senior.