Columbia Falls speech and debate took first place at the Western Divisional tournament in Hamilton with 232 points, Whitefish had 218. Third place was Polson with 75 points. All competitors on the team qualified for state and will be competing next weekend in Belgrade.

The team was led by first-place finishes in policy debate where Colin Norick and Annabel Conger continued their winning streak, and public forum debate with Anna Nicosia and Mary Ward. In speech first place finalists included Jerelyn Jones in dramatic oral interpretation and Ava Chisholm in humorous oral interpretation.

“The competition in the West is fierce and we were within a couple of points of Whitefish all day. The tough competition will help us prepare for state,” head coach Tara Norick said.

Final Standings:

Impromptu:

3rd Ava Chisholm

6th Tim Ingham

10th Willie Baltz

Extemporaneous:

4th Danny Morgan

6th Alex Garate

9th Tim Ingham

Humorous oral interpretation:

3rd Jerelyn Jones

5th Brandon Karberg

Dramatic oral interpretation:

3rd Estevon Torres

7th Jacob Hohman

Expository:

2nd Emily Getts

3rd Samantha Gilk

7th Danielle Rosenbaum

Original Oratory:

3rd Chloe Foster

4th Willie Baltz

5th Emily Getts

Memorized public address:

3rd Joey Chester

4th Chloe Foster

9th Emma Erickson

Public forum:

6th Cassidy Norick/Kelsey Wright

8th Sarah Posey McGough/Mike Dittrich

Lincoln Douglas:

5th Mikel Knutson

6th Tyler Brown

12th Gabby Merrel

Policy:

6th Shayne Williams/Ruth Nelson

10th Ian McKenzie/Danielle Schwalk