Wildcat pair qualify for national speech and debate team
Two Columbia Falls students could be making the trip to the National Speech and Debate tournament in Dallas, Texas in June after earning alternate spots at the National Qualifying Tournament in Billings over the weekend.
Sixteen members of the state champion Wildcat squad made the trip to Billings for the tournament with sophomore debaters Tre´ Finley and Chloe Coberley earning their way onto the national team as alternates.
“We were so thrilled to be able to land a spot in the top six,” Finley, who competed with his partner Calie Jo Johnson in team policy debate, said. “We didn’t expect to be able to do well against the top teams from all over the state — including Class A and AA.”
Debaters competed in an elimination-style battle with each competitor continuing to the next round until they had lost twice. For Finley and Johnson, that meant five 90-minute rounds over two days. The top three in the event are automatic qualifiers to Nationals, and the next three serve as alternates if the others are not able to attend. Finley and Johnson were seventh at the Class A State Tournament in Belgrade last month.
In Lincoln-Douglas debate, Coberley fought through a total of seven rounds to come out fifth overall, assuring her an alternate slot as well. Coberley placed third at the state tournament.
“We were kind of blown away by the strength of our team,” Wildcat head coach Tara Norick said of the tournament. “We attend this tournament with very limited expectations. These competitors are the best of the best from all over the state, and the majority are from AA schools, so our team goal is to learn and experience. To have several of our kids place so well really is a testament to how hard they have worked this year.”
In individual speech events, sophomore Paige Moriarity narrowly missed the finals round and placed seventh overall, out of a field of 45, in original oratory. Junior Maggie McKeon, competing in the international extemporaneous event for her first time ever, placed 13th - just one spot out of the semi-finals round.
The 2019 Nationals Tournament takes place June 16-19 in Dallas, Texas. If the two Columbia Falls alternates end up securing a slot, the team will have to do fundraising to pay the costs of attending the tournament.
“We are just so proud of this team this year,” Finley said. “Everyone has worked so hard, and we all support each other every step of the way. It’s an honor to be a part of it all.”
C-Falls Attendees of the National Qualifiers tournament:
Isaac Adams - Dramatic Interpretation and Humorous Duo
Chloe Coberley - Lincoln Douglas Debate
Tre’ Finley - Policy Team Debate
Ava Foley - Policy Team Debate
Konner Heindl - International Extemporaneous
Calie Jo Johnson - Policy Team Debate
Aiden Judge - Informative and Domestic Extemporaneous
Ave’ McDonald - Humorous Interpretation and Humorous Duo
Maggie McKeon - International Extemporaneous and Domestic Extemporaneous
Paige Moriarty - Original Oratory and Domestic Extemporaneous
Cassidy Norick - Public Forum Team Debate
Raphe Salmon - Lincoln Douglas Debate