Tin Tran, while MKHS students had placed third in the state in both 2020 and 2021, this was the first time they were able to cross the stage in person, since past state decathlons had been held online.

Tran also said both Alhambra and MKHS teams are in friendly competition with each other, besting each other while sharing resources such as study notes and a Google Classroom online workspace.

“When we were in Santa Clara, we trained together,” Tran said of the two teams. “We were playing basketball together, we were having a meal together. I think a big part of the example examples that Jose and I set is yeah, we can compete against each other, but we do it in the right way.”

Tran said the teams have been developing their camaraderie since 2012 when Tran started coaching and met fellow UCLA graduate Jenny Maloneck, who was coaching the Alhambra High School team at the time. The two coaches combined their skills to strengthen both teams as much as possible until Jennie Malonek’s retirement at the end of the 2020-2021 school year, when Sanchez took over as AHS’ coach.

The collaboration continues to be effective in training both teams, according to Tran, though MKHS edged out AHS by less than 100 points in this year’s state decathlon.

“Jose told me on the drive back in our bus from Santa Clara yesterday: ‘I’ll get you for those 96 points!’” Tran said.

Additionally, Alhambra High School placed first in the Super Quiz portion of the state decathlon, winning against every other team in the state.

According to a Facebook post from the L.A. County Office of Education, one student from each school also won $500 scholarships each, for scoring the highest in science and art: Hunter Pham from MKHS and Kevin San from AHS. Only three such scholarships were awarded at the state decathlon.

“We are incredibly proud of Coach Tin Tran and the Mark Keppel Academic Decathlon team for their hard work, dedication, and perseverance,” MKHS Principal Alejandra Perez said in a written statement. “Reaching the national level competition is a testament to their commitment to academic excellence and teamwork. We are looking forward to seeing them represent our school, district, and county this prestigious stage. We know they will make us very proud!”

MKHS student Matthew Ma said even though the students put in hours of work to support each other and study hard, they didn’t expect the placement they got.

“When we had placed third in state, we were not only in surprise but in extreme joy,” Ma said. “Knowing that I am part of the team that is going to nationals gives me happiness like none other.”

Kenneth San, captain of AHS’s decathlon team, touted the huge effort behind the scenes.

“I truly believe that every single medal our team earned carries with it hours and hours of tremendous dedication and unseen hard work,” San said in a written statement. “I’m quite excited for the opportunity to represent California at nationals, and I can’t wait to see just how much our team can and will achieve.”