DECA marketing club will head to state competition in Decatur March 5-7.

Participants take general economics tests and compete in business role play, said senior Prateek Kumar, who competes with his partner, senior Wenjie Fu.

The top three competitors in each event from state will move on to nationals in Anaheim, Calif. April 29-May 2, where 15,000 students compete. Last year, DECA sent an NCHS record-breaking 10 people to nationals. Kumar and Fu competed against over 150 teams in their event and placed third.

Because DECA will send 38 students to state this year, Kumar thinks DECA may break its nationals record.

“As a team we are probably the strongest we have ever been,” Kumar said. “We will have a much better showing than previous years.”