Debaters take first at Garden City Invitational

The Columbia Falls speech and debate team split last week. The debaters went to the Garden City Invitational Tournament in Missoula and speech to the Piratepalooza Tournament in Polson. In Missoula, Delaney Conger and Maggie McKeon placed sixth in Public Forum Debate. With two policy teams in the top 16, Columbia Falls took first in the Class ABC sweeps. In Polson, the team was led by Jacob Hohman with a first place finish in Informative Speaking, Madeline Jarvis first place in Impromptu, and Jordyn King placing first in Memorized Public Address. Eleven out of the 14 team members competing in speech placed in the top eight at the tournament. Columbia Falls took second in Class A with 93 behind Whitefish, who placed first with 139 points.

“The students are putting their finishing touches on their speeches and finalizing their research in debate getting ready for divisionals and state,” coach Tara Norick said. “Whitefish is clearly the team to beat on the western side. They are strong competition across the board.”

The top 12 in each event at divisionals is invited to compete at the state tournament. There are 12 schools and each school can bring three competitors in each event. With the addition of Ronan, Browning, and Libby to the Western Division this year, competition will be tough, Norick said.

Divisionals is Jan 20 (Saturday) in Ronan and state is in Corvallis Jan 26-27.