Karolina Karner recites her speech as the Moniteau Academic Decathlon team preps for a Texas trip at Moniteau Jr./Sr. High School on Thursday, March 23. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

CHERRY TWP — The final bell had sounded and Moniteau Jr./Sr. High School had cleared out, but for six students and their coach practice would continue for hours.

Kristy Hershey, coach of the Moniteau Academic Decathlon team, was overseeing a study session and speech practice for six of the nine team members who will be going to the national competition in Texas next month.

Hershey, the team’s coach for the last five years, said the Moniteau squad won its place in the national contest by being one of two schools out of 13 competitors to win at the state competition at Thiel College on March 3 and 4.