Wildcats tuning up for speech season

With a host of returning talent and dozens of new faces, the Columbia Falls speech and debate team will make a run at its ninth straight state Class A title this season.

The team is anchored by two returning state champions, seniors Alison Foust and Mason Gedlaman. Gedlaman took state titles in impromptu and humorous oral interpretation last year, while Foust won in Lincoln-Douglas debate, coach Tara Norick said.

All told, there are nine seniors and 13 juniors on the squad and a whopping 60 students altogether. Look for good things from policy debaters Monique Schoech and Mara Barnes, Meredith Stolte and Colter Norick, and Colin Norick and Anabel Conger, as well as returning speakers Baylee Brinton and Alex Damon.

“We have a more mature team than past years,” Norick said, but she’s very pleased with the turnout. “We’re as big as the football team.”

The team has been hard at practice the past couple of weeks. They open the season next Friday and Saturday in Frenchtown, then host a tournament at home Nov. 2.

Norick said she expects some tough competition this season. Billings Central is always tough, and Hamilton beat the Wildcats in a meet in Bozeman last year. In the conference, Norick noted that Whitefish has improved and Polson dropped its drama department and has only a speech and debate team.

Hamilton will host the state Class A tourney this year, so they’ll definitely have the home advantage.

“Their goal is to unseat us,” Norick said.

Norick credits assistants Kim Gange and Leslie DiMaio for much of the team’s success. Both women will return this year.

The team will need volunteer judges for the November home meet. People who are interested in helping can call Norick at 406-249-6177.