C-Falls speakers tops at Hamilton

The Columbia Falls speech and debate team continued its roll as it won in Hamilton on Nov. 16-17. The Wildcats not only won the Class A division, they outscored all other teams in all classes, coach Tara Norick said.

“It really was a team effort, with 23 team members finishing in the top-eight of their events,” Norick said. “The strong coaching from assistant coaches Kim Gange and Leslie DiMaio in the speech events is what makes a win like this possible.”

Columbia Falls scored 143 points. Mason Gedlaman was first in impromptu speaking. Erick Franklund and Colter Norick took first in policy debate.

“I am very proud of how well the team is working together and supporting each other as it really makes a difference in competition,” Norick said.

After the Thanksgiving Day weekend off, the team will travel to Libby for a Class A tournament on Dec. 1.

Other results:

Varsity policy debate

3rd - Mara Barnes and Monique Schoech

Novice policy debate

3rd - Emily Getts and Maddie Mantell

6th - Stephen Lindsey and Mike Dittrich

Varsity Lincoln-Douglas debate

4th - Kaitlin Barnes

5th - Ada Brooks

6th - Allison Foust

Orignal oratory

2nd - Mary Gross

3rd- Meredith Stolte

Impromptu speaking

4th - Blake Ladenburg

5th - Henry Chisholm

Extemporaneous speaking

3rd - Blake Ladenburg

5th - Cody Phillips

8th - Mary Gross

Humorous oral interpretation

7th - Jenna Smith

Serious oral interpretation

7th - Bailey Duke

Expository speaking

2nd - Yeo Chung

3rd - Baylee Brinton