Two Folsom Cordova Unified schools earn California championship berths after dominant Sacramento County performance
Folsom High School extended its dominance atop Sacramento County’s premier academic competition this week, capturing its fifth consecutive Sacramento County Academic Decathlon championship and leading a one-two finish for the Folsom Cordova Unified School District. Close behind them, Vista del Lago High School secured second place overall, earning its own trip to the California Academic Decathlon in Santa Clara.
The fifth straight county title further cements Folsom High’s place as one of the region’s most consistent and high-performing academic programs, while Vista’s runner-up finish highlights the depth of excellence across both local campuses. Both schools will now compete March 19–22 against approximately 80 of California’s top teams.
For the fifth year in a row, the powerhouse Academic Decathlon team of Folsom High School went home with the first-place trophy from the Sacramento County competition. They now move on to represent the school, district and county at the state competition in Santa Clara on March 19-22.
Guided and mentored by coaches Melinda Wilson and Ryan Peterson, team members studied this year’s theme in subjects such as science and music, following the curriculum provided by the United States Academic Decathlon. The competition featured multiple-choice exams across disciplines, as well as prepared and impromptu speeches, essays and interviews with a panel of judges. One of the highlights was the Super Quiz competition held before a live audience.
This year, Folsom scored 45,203 points out of 60,000 and earned 54 individual medals, including 42 subject medals, eight Super Quiz medals and four Super Decathlete honors. The Bulldogs placed first in the Super Quiz. Nolan King presented one of the top three speeches overall in the county, while Hana Haque medaled in every single individual category.
Each team consists of three Honor students (GPA 3.90–4.00), three Scholastic competitors (GPA 3.40–3.899), and three Varsity competitors (GPA 0.00–3.399). New to the program this year, freshmen students may compete as wildcards in any category regardless of their GPA.
This year’s primary team representing Folsom at state includes standout medalists across all divisions.
In the Honors division, Rathna Adusumalli earned bronze in Interview and silver in Math, along with silver in the Super Quiz. Aekari Chien captured bronze in Essay and gold in Music, Social Science and Literature while also earning a silver Super Decathlete medal. Ananya Pujari added bronze in Art, silver in Social Science and bronze in the Super Quiz.
In the Scholastic division, Hana Haque delivered one of the most dominant performances in the competition, earning gold in Interview, Essay, Art, Music, Social Science, Economics, Literature and Science; silver in Speech, Math and Super Quiz; and capturing gold Super Decathlete honors. Nolan King secured gold in Speech, silver in Essay and Super Quiz, bronze in Music, Social Science, Economics, Literature and Science, and was named a bronze Super Decathlete. Saanvi Sangisetti earned bronze in Essay, silver in Social Science and Literature, and gold in Economics and Super Quiz.
In the Varsity division, Joseph Craig won gold in Essay, Literature and Super Quiz, along with bronze in Music and silver in Social Science. Annie Yang delivered an exceptional performance, earning gold in Interview, Art, Music, Social Science, Math and Science; silver in Essay, Economics, Literature and Super Quiz; and was recognized as a gold Super Decathlete. Prasedha Yearasi added gold medals in Speech and Super Quiz.
Additional individual placers for Folsom included Manasvi Bhor in first place overall in her category, Aarushi Jasani in sixth place, Pooja Bethapudi in eighth place, Aarushi Dudhwala in ninth place, along with team contributors Srinidhi Ramadurai and Khushi Samanuru.
Across the county field of 15 high schools and 163 competitors at Sheldon High School, the final top-five team standings were Folsom High School in first place, Vista del Lago High School in second place, Christian Brothers High School in third place, Monterey Trail High School in fourth place and St. Francis High School in fifth place.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our incredible students and the dedicated teachers who supported them every step of the way. For Folsom High to earn first place and Vista del Lago to take second in the Sacramento Academic Decathlon speaks to a full year of preparation, countless hours of hard work, and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” Erik Swanson, FCUSD Superintendent told Folsom Times.
Vista del Lago’s second-place finish was guided by coach Jessica Mann and supported by exceptional performances across every division.
According to official county rankings, Alessandra Seghesio was Vista del Lago’s designated top-scoring team member and recipient of the Team Leadership Award. In the Honors division, Seghesio posted the Eagles’ highest individual score with 8,063.8 points, placing second regionally and earning gold Super Decathlete recognition.
Vista’s Honors division depth also included Michalina Kwidzinska in fifth place with 7,422.1 points, Kapish Kalita in seventh with 7,012.2, Viren Chauhan in 13th with 6,620.4 and Nandika Tiwari in 15th with 6,547.6.
In the Scholastic division, Ruhee Bindra captured first place regionally with 7,426.1 points. Arsha Dey placed third with 6,271.1, Sanjeev Ambalam placed fifth with 6,186.4, Hailey Buescher placed seventh with 5,639.6, Priyadharshini Mohan placed 10th with 5,327.5 and Tvarita Nanda Kumar placed 15th with 4,857.8.
Vista’s Varsity division was led by Avyukth Salver, who captured first place regionally with 6,680 points. Antonio Castellanos followed with a second-place finish and 5,853.9 points. Additional varsity contributors included Andria Franks in sixth, Arush Pogulakonda in seventh and Jae Thomas in eighth.
Vista del Lago’s 2026 Academic Decathlon team advancing to the California championship includes Alessandra Seghesio, Michalina Kwidzinska, Kapish Kalita, Ruhee Bindra, Arsha Dey, Sanjeev Ambalam, Avyukth Salver, Antonio Castellanos and Arush Pogulakonda. Representing Honors, Scholastic and Varsity divisions, the Eagles will compete in Santa Clara alongside Folsom High later this month.
“What inspires me most is how these students lifted one another up, building strong relationships, embracing the rigor, and pushing themselves together.” Swanson added. “And when the lights were the brightest, they rose to the moment. Their preparation truly paid off, and as a district, we are so proud to see their talent, teamwork, and dedication shine.”
With first- and second-place finishes secured by Folsom and Vista del Lago respectively, the Folsom Cordova Unified School District will send two of Sacramento County’s top Academic Decathlon teams to compete among California’s elite programs at the state championship.
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