In its best finish of the season, Whitefish speech and debate earned second place at the Northwest Class A divisional tournament last weekend in Libby.

Twenty-two students qualified for the state tournament. Leading the Bulldogs were Sam Benkelman in expository and Hira Ramay in original oratory, with both earning first place medals in their respective category.

Whitefish placed second with 110 sweepstakes points, behind Columbia Falls in first place.

“As we close out the season, I am overwhelmed with pride for these kids,” Coach Sara Mueller said. “What they have accomplished is all theirs. I can take very little credit for what they have become.”

Whitefish heads to the state tournament this weekend in Columbia Falls.

Individual results:

Extemporaneous: 2. Abbie Belcher, 5. Zach Ade, 6. Makkie Haller

Impromptu: 4. Abbie Belcher, 5. Jordan Reese, 6. Teigen Tremper

Original Oratory: 1. Hira Ramay, 3. Hunter Cripe, 5. Ingvild Gundersen

Memorized public address: 2. Sam Benkelman, 4. Jordan Reese, 6. Kolton Mohn

Expository: 1. Sam Benkelman, 5. Teigen Tremper, 6. Matthew Hutchinson

Humorous oral interpretation: 4. Saige Perchy, 5. Makkie Haller, 6. Jasmine Reese

Serious oral interpretation: 4. Jasmine Reese, 7. Hunter Cripe, 8. Solomon Ziegert

Policy debate: 3. Galen Jamison and Zach Kasselder, 6. Daniel Seymour and Cody Casazza

Lincoln-Douglas debate: 6. Bergen Carloss, 7. Adia Saurey, 8. Shayla Schuhriemen