Cats speech, debate down rival Bulldogs in Polson

Columbia Falls Speech and Debate fought to a win over Whitefish and 11 other schools at the Polson Pirate Palooza Speech and Debate Tournament on Saturday. The meet was the last regular season match-up. The Wildcats scored 204 total team points, to overcome Bulldog speakers with 120 points.

Both the speech and debate squads were strong with students placing in every event. Policy Debate was very strong with our three teams placing in the top four, noted coach Tara Norick. Callie Johnson and Tre Finley took first; Shyane Williams and Emma Stephens took third; and Ava Foley and Finley Sundberg took fourth. Other first place finishers include Raphe Salmon in Lincoln-Douglas debate, Isaac Adams in Humorous Interpretation, Suzanna Rosalez in Memorized Public Address, and Julia Sowerwine in Oratory.

Next weekend, the Wildcats head to Stevensville for divisionals. The state tourney is in Whitefish where Columbia Falls will meet the Bulldogs on their own turf at the end of the month. Columbia Falls is chasing its 15th state championship in a row.

“Divisionals is going to be a tough tournament,” senior Maggie McKeon said. “The top 12 in each event go to state. We know we will be battling in every category, but we are prepared, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Individual competitors results were as follows:

Policy Debate

1st Calie Jo Johnson and Tre Finley

3rd Shyane Williams and Emma Stephens

4th Finley Sundberg and Ava Foley

Public Forum Debate

2nd Lara Erickson & Laney Conger

Lincoln Douglas Debate

1st Raphe Salmon

Impromptu

7th Maggie McKeon

Humorous Interpretation

1st Isaac Adams

3rd Griffin Conger

7th Ave McDonald

Dramatic Interpretation

2nd Isaac Adams

3rd Griffin Conger

Original Oratory

1st Julia Sowerwine

7th Sheridan Skerritt

Memorized Public Address

1st Suzanna Rosalez

2nd Ave McDonald

3rd Julia Sowerwine

Informative

7th Aiden Judge

Extemporaneous

2nd Maggie McKeon

3rd Sam Lovering