Whitefish’s speech and debate team took fourth in sweepstakes points at the Bigfork invitational last weekend.

The team tallied 46 points. Columbia Falls earned first, followed by Hamilton and Stevensville in Class A competition.

Sam Benkelman led the team with a first place medal in expository.

Coach Sara Mueller praised Benkelman, who serves as team captain.

“Sam is becoming quite the force to be reckoned with in expository,” she said. “He is the current state champion and looking to repeat with excellent performances again this year.”

Bergen Carloss was named tournament captain. Mueller said she continues to have outstanding performances in Lincoln-Douglas debate.

The team heads to Missoula Saturday for the Loyola Invitational meet. The Northwest Divisional will be Jan. 24 in Libby and the Class A state meet is Jan. 30 and 31 in Columbia Falls.

Individual results:

Extemporaneous: 4. Abbie Belcher, 6. Zach Ade

Impromptu: 4. Abbie Belcher, 6. Jordan Reese

Memorized public address: 3. Jordan Reese

Expository: 1. Sam Benkelman

Original oratory: 2. Hira Ramay

Policy debate: 7. Galen Jamison and Zach Kasselder

Lincoln-Douglas debate: 6. Bergen Carloss