Speech team looks to win its 25th title in 2025

By CHRIS PETERSON

Hungry Horse News

The Columbia Falls speech and debate team kicks off its season this weekend with a meet in Kalispell.

The Wildcats will be looking to make a little history this season, with the hope that they win their unprecedented 25th class A title in 2025.

The Wildcats aren’t taking anything for granted.

“You’ve got to work for it, that’s what it’s all about,” Quinn Caudle said. “You can’t go in and expect to win.”

The Wildcats are led by nine seniors, seven of which placed at state last year.

While they love to compete, they also admit it’s collaboration that leads to success. They all know they’ll need help from underclassmen to get the title, so they work together, even if they’re squaring off against each other in events.

Look for good things from a slew of returning competitors this season.

Seniors Carson Settles and Reed Wollenzien won a state title in duo interpretation last year and will hope to repeat this year. Wollenzein also took fourth in Dramatic Interpretation last year.

Debater Boone Shanks took second in policy debate last season with partner Lauren Rogers and they have hopes for a title this year.

Caudle won a title with Chris Daenzer in public forum debate last season and will look to win another this season. Daenzer, however, graduated.

 This is a well-rounded squad, with a mix of debaters and speakers, alike. All told, there’s about 40 to 45 expected on the team. (Not everyone has committed just yet, as fall sports are still wrapping up.)

They expect Whitefish to be the team to beat in the West and Laurel the team to beat in the East.

The Wildcats are led by head coach Dawn Roe, along with assistants Ian Wheeler, Mikel Knutson, Kavin Wickham and Alix Major.

The team would like to thank everyone who donated dress clothes to replace the ones that were damaged due to school flooding this summer.

The team hosts a meet next weekend. People interested in judging should contact Roe at d_roe@cfmtschools.net.