Lucky 13: Cats win state speech, debate championship
The 2018 Columbia Falls speech and debate championship squad, front row, from left: Lara Erickson, Emmalee Hellen, Paige Moriarty, Danielle Rosenbaum, Shyane Williams, Haileigh Bayee, Jesse Rusche, Calie Jo Johnson; middle row, Madeline Jarvis, Ava Chisholm, Ave' McDonald, Emma Erickson, Gabby Merell, Jordyn King, Danielle Schwalk, Ella Hutcheson, Kennedy Payne, Chloe Coberley, Noah Golan, Sam Lovering; back row, Lizzy Olsen, Jacob Hohman, Ian McKenzie, Tre' Finley, Cassidy Norick, Kelsey Wright, Laney Conger, Maggie McKeon, Kayla McDowall. (Chris Peterson photo)
As senior Jordyn King entered the final rounds of the state A speech and debate tournament, she was feeling the nerves.
“I had a bad feeling about old ladies not liking me,” she said with a smile.
Well, Jordyn, they liked you. Really, really, liked you.
King won the state A title in memorized public address. Five others won state titles as well, leading the Columbia Falls speech and debate team to its 13th straight state title and its 20th in school history, as they beat Whitefish 244-172 in Corvallis.
All of the champions said they had some nerves heading into the last round.
“It was the most stressful thing I’ve ever done,” said sophomore debater Shyane Williams. “I was paired with a senior and I didn’t want to let her down.”
Williams is in policy debate with Danielle Schwalk.
Schwalk said it was about maintaining composure.
“We’d gone against these debaters multiple times. It’s always been close. We came out on top this time.”
For some, the tournament was bittersweet. Senior Ava Chisholm won in impromptu speaking, but took second in humorous oral interpretation — to teammate senior Jacob Hohman. Chisholm hadn’t lost in the latter event all season.
“It was a rough tournament,” she said. “But at least I lost to a teammate.”
Hohman said he just kept plugging away.
“I just tried harder,” he said. “Every round I told myself I’m the best.”
Freshman Paige Moriarty won in original oratory, which showcases an original speech written by the competitor. She’d been polishing her speech throughout the season, finalizing a draft about a month ago. She came through when it mattered the most.
“I knew I had to do my best,” she said. “No matter what happened, I’d be proud of myself for what I accomplished.”
Coach Tara Norick said the tournament came down to the final rounds this year.
After the first day, things, “weren’t looking great.”
They had a slight edge on the Bulldogs in debate, but both teams had 14 competitors in the finals.
“The entire tournament was determined by those final rounds,” she said.
The team loses 10 seniors to graduation, but has a host of returning talent as they’ll look for another title next year.
This year the squad had 15 freshmen and sophomores that qualified for state.
Additional results
Policy Debate:
4th - Ian McKenzie and Ella Hutcheson
6th - Calie Jo Johnson and Tre Finley
Public Forum Debate:
4th - Delaney Conger and Maggie McKeon
7th - Cassidy Norick and Kelsey Wright
LD Debate:
7th - Gabby Merrell
Extemporaneous:
3rd - Madeline Jarvis
4th - Noah Golan
Impromptu:
3rd - Paige Moriarty
6th - Madeline Jarvis
Memorized Public Address
6th - Emma Erickson
Dramatic Interpretation:
5th - Jordyn King
6th - Ave’ McDonald
Humorous Interpretation:
2nd - Ava Chisholm
7th - Danielle Rosenbaum
Informative
2nd - Jacob Hohman
Sweeps
Columbia Falls - 1st (244 points)
Whitefish - 2nd (172 points)
Laurel - 3rd (99 points)