Cheaters is a HBO movie released in 2000 that chronicles the story of a team that cheats in the United States Academic Decathlon (USAD). It is based on a true story.
In the movie, Steinmetz High School has a team member who is able to secure the state finals tests. Assisted by their coach, Jerry Plecki, they are able to defeat perennial Illinois USAD powerhouse Whitney Young Magnet High School . Because of their score at state being nearly 10,000 points (almost 1/3) higher than their regional score, an investigation was launched which ultimately exposed the cheating.
Plecki assisted his students in cheating and eventually resigned, although as of 2000 he was still rationalizing why he helped his students. Additionally, some members of the team to this day still say they would do it again. The state title was taken away from Steinmetz and given to Whitney Young.
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