Last year, in its first year as a Class B school, Bigfork High School’s speech, debate and drama competitors were largely in the dark.

They’d competed most of the year in Class A tournaments, because other Class B schools were too far away to attend weekend meets there. Bigfork didn’t see much of the competition until late in the season.

This year, Bigfork has a better idea what to expect.

That should pay off in this year’s speech, debate and drama season, head coach Charlie Appleby said.

“Last year, I think we were caught off guard by the competition in Class B and C, and the sheer number of kids competing also made it more difficult to make it to state, and from there, place at state,” he said. “I think, now in our second year, we are ready for the tougher competition and will, hopefully, fare better.”

Despite the odds against them, Bigfork did have three champions at last season’s divisional meet and an individual event first-place finish at state. James Vale and Jacob Sefcak were the 2010 state champions in Humorous Duo.

“At the top we looked good,” Appleby said of last year’s team. “I would like more kids to have the chance to place at state, though.”

With more kids on the team, there are more chances for Bigfork to send competitors to state this year. In addition to “my die-hard group that [has] been with me for three or four years,” Appleby has about 15 potential new speakers.

It’s too early to tell which competitors or events might be strengths this season, but Appleby said he was hopeful the team would be strong in Expository Speaking and Memorized Public Address, both speech events, and in duo events in drama.

In addition to new team members, a new coach is joining the staff — Appleby’s wife, Shannon. She coached for two years before taking last season off to complete a master’s degree.

Also joining the staff is Bigfork alumnus Jerry Gaiser, who won a state title in Humorous Duo two years ago.

Bigfork opens its season Saturday at a Class A tournament in Polson.

Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or at [email protected].