The National Forensic League Speech and Debate Tournament offered Flathead and Columbia Falls underclassmen a chance to experience a large-scale competition against schools across the country.

Four Flathead High School students and two students from Columbia Falls competed at the tournament held in Birmingham Ala., June 16-21.

This was the first national tournament for Flathead competitors, who included freshmen Parker Kouns and Wyatt Dykhuizen, duo interpretation; sophomore Eli Cornell, international extemporaneous speaking and sophomore Wyatt McGillen, U.S. extemporaneous speaking. Seniors Barrie Sugarman and Karl Boveng also qualified, but were unable to attend.

Flathead head Speech and Debate Coach Shannon O’Donnell said she was proud of her students’ performances. To compete at their first national tournament against the country’s best was no small feat, O’Donnell said.

“Each event began with close to 300 competitors, and all four of our boys finished in the middle of the pack, something we’re very proud of for underclassmen facing the nation’s best,” O’Donnell said.

Following elimination in their extemporaneous events, McGillen and Cornell both competed in impromptu speaking, a consolation event that began with 600 competitors. Cornell advanced to the top 200, while McGillen finished in the top 75.

Other Flathead coaches who attended the tournament were April Williams and Sean Nalty.

Columbia Falls competitors included sophomore policy debate team Monique Schoech and Mara Barnes. During the season Schoech and Barnes took third at state.

This was the first time Columbia Falls head Speech and Debate Coach Tara Norick has brought a debate team to nationals.  Schoech and Barnes were very close to making it through preliminary rounds to finals.

“There are six preliminary rounds and 12 judges. Out of the 12 judges, teams have to win eight ballots. Our girls won six ballots. I was very proud of them,” Norick said.

Nationals was a good learning experience particularly when comparing national and Montana High School Association rules, Norick said. Policy debate teams were allowed to use laptop computers, which is not the case at Montana tournaments, so the Columbia Falls team stuck to what they had used throughout the year — hard copies of research and speeches.

“It was very eye-opening,” Norick said, noting that her team may start using laptops during practice to give them an edge against national competition. “We’re very motivated to get there again.”

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.