Whitefish’s Sam Benkelman became a back-to-back state champion Saturday in expository speaking, leading the Bulldogs at the Class A state speech and debate tournament in Columbia Falls.

The Bulldogs finished fourth in overall sweepstakes points.

Coach Sara Mueller said Benkelman has had a stellar season.

“Sam is both a competitive and emotional leader for the team,” she said. “I am amazed at the group as a whole especially the sense of unity we have established.”

Whitefish earned 84 points, just behind third place Hamilton with 87 points. Columbia Falls earned its 10th consecutive state championship earning 245 points. Belgrade took second with 102 points.

Mueller said Whitefish had 16 of its 22 students advance at least to the semi-final round of competition.

She expects a strong team next year with many of the point leaders returning. In addition to Benkelman, she expects Abigail Belcher, Hunter Cripe, Zach Ade and Teigen Temper to return.

“We look forward to what they can accomplish together in the future,” she said.

Individual results:

Extemporaneous: 7. Abigail Belcher, 6. Zach Ade

Impromptu: 8. Abigail Belcher

Memorized public address: 2. Sam Benkelman

Original oratory: 2. Hira Ramay,

Expository: 1. Sam Benkelman, 5. Teigen Tremper