CONQUISTADORES; CAMPUS HAILS AMERICA'S TOP ACADEMIC TEAM.

Byline: Yvette Cabrera Daily News Staff Writer

They captured the gold and in return El Camino Real High School students and teachers regaled the No. 1 Academic Decathlon team in the nation with the biggest pep rally in school history Tuesday.

True to their school mascot, the Conquistador, the eight-member team conquered all at the U.S. Academic Decathlon last weekend. They were welcomed back like heroes at the noontime rally, complete with spirited cheerleaders, their school band and hundreds of ecstatic classmates.

Under an arch of red, white and blue balloons in their outdoor quad, the team was introduced to the approving roar of the student body and presented with commendations from state and city officials, and their own official city street sign from Mayor Richard Riordan's office.

``It's a once in a lifetime experience that I wouldn't trade for anything,'' said senior Steve Chae, 18, of Canoga Park as he grasped the hand of teammate Carina Yuen.

``It was worth it. Not so much for the golden banner we received, but just the experience of being with seven other people that I can honestly say are like family,'' Chae said.

The other team members are Taimur Baig, Michael Beatty, Nancy Fu, Bruce Ngo, Elana Pelman and Adi Zarchi.

The national title was a first for the 17-year-old decathlon program at El Camino High School, which took second place the past two years. It was a battle very much like that of the silver screen's boxing champion Rocky, said team co-coach David Roberson.

``We just kept coming back and coming back, and finally we did it,'' said Roberson, who was joined by co-coach Mark Johnson. ``It was finally our year.''

As with previous decathlon banners, this year's gold championship banner will hang in the library, said Roberson. He takes a peak at the banner whenever he gets a chance.

The banner, like the team's victory, is shared with pride by the rest of the school, said Principal Ron Bauer.

``It's just one of those things - I suspect the parents and the students puff their chests out and feel really proud of their school,'' said Bauer, who attributed the victory to teamwork.

``They worked together, supported each other and nobody on that team studied alone - they won as a unit,'' Bauer said.

After flying home Monday from Rhode Island, the team was greeted at the airport by family members, friends and Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Ruben Zacarias.

The rally Tuesday was the least the school could do in honor of the team's accomplishment, said director of student activities Hilary Gladstein, a 17-year-old senior.

``We have so much respect for them because most of us wouldn't spend that much time studying, and on weekends, too,'' said Gladstein. ``I think the decathlon team is definitely in their own class.''

The student support meant a lot to the team members, who said they are constantly stopped in the school halls by classmates wanting to congratulate them.

``To see everybody still cheering us on and congratulating us . . . it's overwhelming,'' said Ngo, a 17-year-old senior. ``To see our goal actually realized, it's just like, wow.''

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3 Photos

PHOTO (1 -- color) Members of El Camino Real's Academic Decathlon team react to the news that a street sign will be put up in their honor.

(2 -- color) Steve Chae admires one of the medals his team earned.

(3) Academic team members, from left, Bruce Ngo, Carina Yuen, Elana Pelman, Taimur Baig, Michael Beatty, Nancy Fu, Steve Chae and Adi Zarchi soak up sun and adulation at Tuesday's rally.

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News