WOODLAND HILLS : School’s Team on Way to National Decathlon

Nine students at El Camino Real High School, their brains awash in a sea of facts and formulas, left for Boise, Ida., Tuesday where they will compete in this weekend’s United States Academic Decathlon.

The goal: to be declared national champions on Sunday, entitling the students to $30,000 in scholarship money and the license to gloat over an achievement that would crown a year of intensive preparation.

For two grueling days, the Woodland Hills school’s squad will go head to head against teams from 47 states and the District of Columbia, taking tests in seven academic areas as well as competing in speech and interview categories.

“This has gone on really, really long,” said Joshua Erdman, 16, one of two juniors on the team. “I’d like to get this over as soon as possible.”

The El Camino crew ranks among the top three entering the contest, just behind the Texas team--a perennial powerhouse in the national trials--and a strong group from Illinois. Participants from Arizona and New Jersey could also elbow their way to the championship.