Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
| Whitney M. Young Magnet High School | |
 | |
| School Founded | 1975 |
| Team Established | 1986 |
| History | Plenty |
| City | Chicago, Illinois |
| Team Colors | Orange & Blue |
| Principal | Rickey Floyd Harris |
| Head Coach | Jorden Berberian |
| Associate/Other Head Coach(es) | Aisha Iqbal |
| National Championships | None |
| State Championships | 40 (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026) |
| Regional/County Championships | 40 (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026) |
| Region/County Location | Chicago Public Schools |
| Highest Finish | Second in National Finals (Five Times) |
| School Website | https://wyoung.org |
Whitney M. Young Magnet HS
Chicago, IL
Website: https://wyoung.org
The Whitney M. Young Magnet High School Academic Decathlon Team is the premier team within the State of Illinois. From 1986 to 2026, they have won 40 State Championships over a 41-year history, the most of any program in the history of Academic Decathlon, and when asked about that year, they often reply with "we don't like to talk about that." The team has been under the leadership of Jorden "Berb" Berberian since the 2025-2026 season, and has achieved continued success at the State Competition and National Competition; they have placed in the top 5 of every National Championship since 2014.
While the team is not hitting the binder, they are often found stealing former captain Vishal Som's food. Deacthletes pride themselves on their gambling skills, as well as their abilities in Hollow Knight: Silksong, as it builds community and provides an outlet from doing their AP lit essays. Perhaps the Dolphins' greatest accomplishment lies in their recreation of the dance moms pyramid, inscribing a sense of rivalry and competitiveness into the activity. The team also doubles as a registered interpretive dance troupe, with former captain Jason Xie leading a 27-minute ballet segment. This segment, however, has been cancelled due to Jason's critical health condition; he is currently undergoing vertebrae replacement surgery following the events of the 2025-2026 season.
In past years, they have been found working on their Terraria server and playing Tetris at competitions, or looking to challenge other schools to a foot race. More recently, they have been spotted having intense debates over the ethicality of selling pure milk at fundraising events, discussing the semantics of Billie Eilish's music, denouncing the essay category, or frolicking in the outdoors in mystical joy.
Academic Decathlon Performance Chart[edit]
| Year | Regionals Score | Regionals Rank | State Score | State Rank | Nationals Score | Nationals Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 51,399.4 | 1 | 49,984.0 | 1 | 48,749.7 | 3 |
| 2025 | 51,304.0 | 1 | 48,401.8 | 1 | 48,542.6 | 5 |
| 2024 | 47,857.8 | 1 | 48,219.1 | 1 | 47,350.4 | 2 |
| 2023 | 44,887.6 | 1 | 48,113.3 | 1 | 47,835.5 | 2 |
| 2022 | 46,861.1 | 1 | 45,801.5 | 1 | 45,457.6 | 3 |
| 2021 | 51,008.9 | 1 | 48,557.2 | 1 | 47,804.5 | 3 |
| 2020 | 48,226.8 | 1 | ? | 1 | N/A | N/A |
| 2019 | 48,772.0 | 1 | 48,457.4 | 1 | 48,592.7 | 5 |
| 2018 | 45,691.3 | 1 | 47,943.3 | 1 | 47,806.1 | 4 |
| 2017 | 45,505.1 | 1 | 46,211.5 | 1 | 47,509.4 | 4 |
| 2016 | 48,349.1 | 1 | 47,667.7 | 1 | 48,890.1 | 4 |
| 2015 | 47,829.0 | 1 | 46,983.4 | 1 | 48,434.4 | 4 |
| 2014 | ? | 1 | 44,424 | 1 | 47,417.6 | 5 |
| 2013 | ? | 1 | ? | 1 | 46,701.9 | 7 |
| 2012 | ? | 1 | 41,578 | 1 | 49,736.5 | 2 |
| 2011 | 46,886 | 1 | 45,980 | 1 | 46,880.4 | 4 |
| 2010 | 48,468 | 1 | 48,292 | 1 | 47,269.7 | 3 |
| 2009 | 46,351 | 1 | 42,565* | 1 | 47,491.5 | 5 |
| 2008 | 47,318 | 1 | 49,735 | 1 | 50,053.6 | 5 |
| 2007 | 47,977 | 1 | 48,496 | 1 | 50,828.8 | 2 |
| 2006 | 46,700 | 1 | 45,409 | 1 | 46,785 | 4 |
| 2005 | ? | 1 | 1 | 1 | 45,091.8 | 5 |
| 2004 | ? | 2 | 45,900 | 1 | 47,823.6 | 4 |
| 2003 | ? | 1 | ? | 2 | DNC | DNC |
| 2002 | ? | 1 | ? | 1 | 46,460 | 3 |
| 2001 | ? | 1 | ? | 1 | 44,963 | 3 |
| 2000 | ? | 1 | 47,695 | 1 | 48,776 | 4 |
| 1999 | ? | 1 | ? | 1 | 47,559 | 4 |
| 1998 | ? | 1 | ? | 1 | 47,448 | 5 |
| 1997 | ? | 1 | ? | 1 | 47,970 | 3 |
| 1996 | ? | 1 | ? | 1 | 44,805 | 8 |
| 1995 | ? | 1 | ? | 1 | 48,075 | 2 |
| 1994 | ? | ? | ? | ? | 45,846 | 5 |
| 1993 | ? | ? | ? | ? | 43,089 | 4 |
| 1992 | ? | ? | ? | ? | 48,500 | 3 |
| 1991 | ? | ? | ? | ? | 47,231 | 3 |
(*) There was no interview this year, due to poor organization.
Overall Individual Scores[edit]
Complete data only from the 2024-2025 season onward
Nationals[edit]
| Rank | Name | Year | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joe Radinsky | 2019 | 9,238.4 |
| 2 | Jonathon Marek | 2016 | 9,229.7 |
| 3 | Joshua Tabuena | 2017 | 9,197.4 |
| 4 | Biyang Wang | 2009 | 9,156.7 |
| 5 | Isabel Salovaara | 2008 | 9,135.5 |
| 6 | Tim You | 2015 | 9,111.7 |
| 7 | Joseph Slowik | 2000 | 8,918.0 |
| 8 | Victoria Xie | 2018 | 8,904.0 |
| 9 | Cindy Mei | 2021 | 8,831.1 |
| 10 | Leon Cao | 2023 | 8,765.5 |
| Rank | Name | Year | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jason Xie | 2026 | 8,908.1 |
| 2 | Anji Bei | 2012 | 8,680.3 |
| 3 | Herman Van Besien | 2007 | 8,591.0 |
| 4 | Sara Jiang | 2025 | 8,557.9 |
| 5 | Joshua Oppenchild | 2007 | 8,479.0 |
| 6 | Clare Conroy | 2004 | 8,445.6 |
| 7 | Micah Dennis | 2010 | 8,408.7 |
| 8 | Maryanne Au | 1998 | 8,360.0 |
| 9 | Gabriel Ratner | 2024 | 8,234.7 |
| 10 | Julienne Au | 1997 | 8,205.0 |
| Rank | Name | Year | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Conway | 2008 | 8,567.4 |
| 2 | Neil Freeman | 1999 | 8,294.0 |
| 3 | Greg Rudnick | 1992 | 8,205.0 |
| 4 | Rachel Perez | 2007 | 8,191.0 |
| 5 | Simon Whedbee | 2011 | 8,173.4 |
| 6 | Noah McKay | 2019 | 8,160.4 |
| 7 | Jehvon Rivers | 2007 | 8,048.8 < X < 8,191.0 |
| 8 | Riley Kleve | 2012 | 8,034.3 |
| 9 | Jesse Cunningham | 1991 | 7,995 |
| 10 | Xibao Quan | 2026 | 7,975.2 |
State[edit]
| Rank | Name | Year | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isabel Salovaara | 2008 | 9,167.7 |
| 2 | Amber Sun | 2023 | 8,826.7 |
| 3 | Arunima Chaudhary | 2025 | 8,760.0 |
| 4 | Fiona Szajda | 2026 | 8,630.0 |
| 5 | Max Ziegelman | 2026 | 8,610.0 |
| 6 | Samantha Park | 2025 | 8,597.1 |
| 7 | Leon Cao | 2023 | 8,592.8 |
| 8 | Kaela Frankel | 2026 | 8,575.4 |
| 9 | Elina Liu | 2025 | 8,401.4 |
| 10 | Zara Khan | 2023 | 7,715.7 |
| Rank | Name | Year | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jason Xie | 2026 | 8,897.9 |
| 2 | Sara Jiang | 2025 | 8,101.4 |
| 3 | Vincent Li | 2025 | 7,897.9 |
| 4 | Matteo Ruffini | 2025 | 7,829.6 |
| 5 | Renee Picard | 2023 | 7,816.4 |
| 6 | Yiheng Gao | 2023 | 7,713.2 |
| 7 | Gabriel Ratner | 2023 | 7,289.3 |
| 8 | Cyrus Di | 2026 | 7,283.6 |
| 9 | Sophia Arias-Ordonez | 2026 | 7,229.3 |
| 10 |
| Rank | Name | Year | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vishal Som | 2026 | 8,523.9 |
| 2 | Xibao Quan | 2026 | 8,038.6 |
| 3 | Taihei Eastwood | 2023 | 7,913.9 |
| 4 | Cassia MacMillian | 2025 | 7,570.4 |
| 5 | Xibao Quan | 2025 | 7,475.0 |
| 6 | Ann Sanchez | 2025 | 7,361.4 |
| 7 | Daniel Lee | 2023 | 7,250.3 |
| 8 | Om Raizada | 2023 | 6,879.6 |
| 9 | Ann Sanchez | 2026 | 6,512.1 |
| 10 |
Regionals[edit]
| Rank | Name | Year | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isabel Salovaara | 2008 | 9,300.0 |
| 2 | Joseph Radinsky | 2019 | 9,130.0 |
| 3 | Joshua Tabuena | 2018 | 9,070.4 |
| 4 | Zachary Troher | 2021 | 8,984.3 |
| 5 | Sarah Lerner | 2021 | 8,936.7 |
| 6 | Arunima Chaudhary | 2025 | 8,922.9 |
| 7 | Max Ziegelman | 2026 | 8,891.4 |
| 8 | Cindy Mei | 2021 | 8,824.3 |
| 9 | Samantha Park | 2025 | 8,842.5 |
| 10 | Elina Liu | 2025 | 8,737.5 |
| Rank | Name | Year | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jason Xie | 2026 | 8,895.4 |
| 2 | Vincent Li | 2025 | 8,865.0 |
| 3 | Cynthia Di | 2021 | 8,732.9 |
| 4 | Sara Jiang | 2025 | 8,727.5 |
| 5 | Matthew Patrick | 2015 | 8,603.3 |
| 6 | Ella Cutler | 2021 | 8,507.9 |
| 7 | Gabriel Ratner | 2024 | 8,442.1 |
| 8 | Ryder Kern | 2022 | 8,368.6 |
| 9 | Taylor Carson | 2019 | 8,278.4 |
| 10 | Sophia Arias-Ordonez | 2026 | 8,041.1 |
| Rank | Name | Year | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Xibao Quan | 2026 | 8,615.4 |
| 2 | Neil Rockey | 2021 | 8,550.7 |
| 3 | Vishal Som | 2026 | 8,260.4 |
| 4 | Taihei Eastwood | 2024 | 8,114.3 |
| 5 | Xibao Quan | 2025 | 8,040.4 |
| 6 | Cassia MacMillian | 2025 | 7,905.7 |
| 7 | Ann Sanchez | 2026 | 7,559.6 |
| 8 | Ann Sanchez | 2025 | 7,516.4 |
| 9 | Neil Rockey | 2022 | 7,503.9 |
| 10 | Braulio Cornejo | 2019 | 7,418.4 |
Superscores[edit]
| Year | Art | Music | Lit | Math | Econ | Science | Soc Sci | Essay | Speech | Interview | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 960 | 940 | 980 | 1,000 | 920 | 980 | 980 | 937.5 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 9,697.5 |
| 2025 | 918.8 | 960 | 960 | 1,000 | 927.3 | 981.8 | 980 | 937.5 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 9,728.4 |
Record Board[edit]
Highest Individual Score: Isabel Salovaara - 9,300.0 (2008 Regionals)
Highest Objective Score (2025+): Jason Xie - 6,462.9 (2026 State)
Highest Subjective Score (2025+): Elina Liu - 2,897.5 (2025 Regionals)
Highest Study Factor (2025+): Sara Jiang - 5,645.4 (2025 Nationals)
Most Caffeine-Addicted: Vishal Som - A Celsius a day keeps the doctor away
Most Consistent: Jason Xie - 13 point variation across 3 competitions
Best at being short: Cassia MacMillan - Under five feet
Most Lifted: GiHo Jeong
Swaggiest: Charlie "Chuck" Nevins or Eddie Armstrong
I Want It: That Way
Boo Yah!: Gimme some!
Panera Pizza Goblin: Zachary Troher
