Speech and debate wins 15th straight state A title

The Bulldogs had more champions. But the Wildcats had more points.

And so the Columbia Falls speech and debate team won its 15th consecutive Class A speech and debate championship Saturday night in Whitefish.

The Wildcats edged the Bulldogs 256-216 for the title. Isaac Adams was the lone champion for Columbia Falls, winning in dramatic interpretation.

The Cats’ depth paid off, coach Tara Norick said.

“It was a team effort across the board,” she said. “We supported each other and that’s what makes the difference. It’s just a great group of kids.”

Adams was not expecting to win.

“I’m extremely excited and surprised,” he said shortly after the win. “It took a lot of effort against the odds.”

Adams noted that he’s only been with the team a couple of years. The senior didn’t even start speech until his junior year.

“I wasn’t really expecting much.”

He also took third in humorous interpretation.

While Adams may have a flair for the dramatic, he says he plans on being an accountant after college.

The Cats made it to the finals in all but one event — memorized public address. They also did very well in the debate events, which helped put them over the top, Norick added.

Here’s how they did:

Policy Debate

Second - Calie Johnson and Tre Finley

Third - Emma Stephens and Shyane Williams

Fourth - Finley Sundberg and Ava Foley

Lincoln Douglas Debate

Fourth - Raphe Salmon

Sixth - Eddie Chisholm

Public Forum Debate

Second - Lara Erickson and Laney Conger

Eighth - Damon Morris and Jesse Rusche

Humorous Interpretation

Third - Isaac Adams

Fifth - Ave McDonald

Dramatic Interpretation

First - Isaac Adams

Third - Griffin Conger

Fifth - Chloe Coberly

Oratory

Second - Julia Sowerwine

Memorized Public Address

Second - Suzanna Rosalez

Sixth - Julia Sowerwine

Informative

Fourth - Aiden Judge

Sixth - Anna Pickard

Impromptu

Third - Sam Lovering

Eighth - Maggie McKeon

Extemporaneous

Second - Maggie McKeon

Third - Sam Lovering

Sixth - Aiden Judge