The state championship in Class A speech and debate may be hotly contested if the number of season tournament wins is any indicator.

While Columbia Falls High School is going for its 11th consecutive state title, Whitefish has risen to the occasion as a top contender going into the state tournament today and Saturday in Belgrade.   

Columbia Falls this season has won five tournaments, including last weekend’s divisional meet. Whitefish has claimed four tournament wins.

At divisionals, Columbia Falls topped Whitefish by just 14 points.

“Columbia Falls has a young team and new assistant coaches this year. With only four seniors and 17 competitors on the state team who have not been to state before, we are growing in experience at every meet,” Columbia Falls Head Coach Tara Norick said.

“State will be a tough and close competition. Whitefish has been strong all year and is a top contender for the state trophy. We will work hard each round over the two-day meet and see how the final scores come in,” she said.

This year, Whitefish is working with a more seasoned team of returners and seniors.

“We are a stronger team as a whole than last year,” Whitefish Head Coach Sara Mueller said.

“In all, we determined early that we wanted to take advantage of this special group of students. I am pleased that our team’s trajectory has elevated the competitive nature of speech and debate across the state. We set the goal early to create a team that had a chance to win state.”

Mueller added that the long hours and dedication of speakers and debaters are paying off.

Balance and depth were traits both Mueller and Norick noted as strengths of their teams.

Columbia Falls is known for its skilled debaters and the team will be anchored this year by juniors Annabel Conger and Colin Norick, who placed first at divisionals. After finishing second in the 2015 state competition, they are looking to be champions this time around.

“This year, they have won all but two tournaments and are looking strong as we head into the state tournament,” Norick said.

In speech, senior Emily Getts is a top contender in Expository Speaking, having won five tournaments. Getts also will compete in Original Oratory.

Whitefish has shined this year in memorized and short-preparation events.

“Competitively, our deepest squad is competing in Memorized Public Address,” Mueller said, noting that sophomore Zach Ade, senior Sam Benkelman and senior Austin Reese have routinely placed in the top three this season.

Benkelman also will compete in Original Oratory; he won the divisional champion in this event. Benkelman is a two-time state champion in Expository Speaking.

Mueller has seen the greatest improvement among Whitefish debaters.

“We are now able to go toe-to-toe with some of the best debate squads in the state. However, it is the community we have developed and a constant desire to improve,” Mueller said with a nod to Columbia Falls, “I would say that the greatest asset to the successful season was having Columbia Falls there to push us.”

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.