Bigfork’s speech and drama team swept first place for speech this weekend in Browning against A, B and C high schools, and they took third place for drama.

Their coach Charlie Applebee said it was a great start for both sides of the team.

“For the first time since I have been coaching the team, the speech team is larger and stronger than our drama team,” Applebee said. “I think the team was well prepared and even our new members were prepared and placed well.”

Bigfork High School won five events, which Applebee said was a good surprise. Olivia Witt and Camas Garnett took first place for their humorous duo on the drama side. On the speech side, Maddie Lorang took first in memorized public address, Isaac Reichner took first in impromptu, Mielle Hubbard took first in expository and Alex Hider took first in the Lincoln-Douglas debate.

Hider is the defending divisional champion.

“Hider showed that her divisional title last year was no fluke,” Applebee said.

Shelby Scoggins took second in original oratory and Maddie Lorang took second in expository. Seth Anderson took third in expository.

The team has eight new members this year and lost five to graduation last year, which include the loss of two state champions and two who placed second in state. Applebee has 30 kids on his roster this year, and was only able to take 17 to Browning over the weekend. Last year the team ended the season with 19.

“I am very excited to see so many kids come out for speech and drama this season,” Applebee said.