Speech and debate earns win at Kalispell Kickoff meet

The Columbia Falls speech and debate team won its second meet in two weeks in Kalispell over the weekend, bringing home the Class ABC trophy from the Kalispell Kickoff Saturday.

Competing with less than their full squad, this week because of SAT testing, the Wildcats more than held their own at the meet, which included competition from larger AA schools.

“We have yet to see any team’s full roster. These early wins are encouraging, but won’t become promising until we actually compete against the full field,” asistant coach Kimberly Wortman said.

Led by second place finishes by the team of Lara Erickson and Laney Conger in public forum debate and Julia Sowerwine in memorized public address, the Wildcats easily outpaced second-place Whitefish, scoring 71 points to the Bulldogs’ 27.5. Frenchtown finished third with 25 points.

Head coach Tara Norick says she has been content with the first two meets as the team attempts to win its 15th straight state title and 22nd overall this season.

“A significant portion of our team made it into the semi-finals round with at least one competitor representing the school in each event in the top 16,” she noted.

The team heads off to Ronan this upcoming weekend for a smaller tournament before jumping back into AA competition the following weekend in Missoula. The team has already begun planning for its own tournament on Nov. 23 and is in need of volunteer judges. Those who would like to help judge at the CFHS tournament can reach out to Norick at tnorick@gmail.com.

Individual Results:

Policy Debate:

4nd – Tre Finley and Calie Johnson

8th – Shyane Williams and Emma Stephens

Public Forum Debate:

2nd – Lara Erickson and Laney Conger

5th – Jesse Rusche and Damon Morris

11th – Aiden Rohn and Bryan Osborne

Lincoln Douglas Debate:

7th – Chloe Coberley

12th – Raphe Salmon

Novice Lincoln Douglas:

3rd – Eddie Chisholm

9th – Konnor Heindl

Dramatic Interpretation:

9th – Griffin Conger

Humorous Interpretation:

12th – Griffin Conger

Original Oratory:

10th – Paige Moriarty

14th – Sheridan Skerritt

Memorized Public Address:

2nd – Julia Sowerwine

9th – Ave’ McDonald

11th – Lidda Peterson

Informative Speaking:

9th – Aiden Judge

Impromptu:

10th – Paige Moriarty

14th – Sam Lovering

Extemporaneous:

5th – Sam Lovering

Sweeps (team score):

1st – Columbia Falls 71

2nd – Whitefish 27.5

3rd – Frenchtown 25