The Columbia Falls speech and debate team edged Whitefish at the Whitefish Invitational Saturday by just nine points, 165-156.

Whitefish took first place spots in extemporaneous speaking, original oratory, dramatic interpretation, Lincoln Douglas Debate, and policy debate. Columbia Falls won humorous interpretation, impromptu, memorized public address, and had second-place finishes in five events.

“When the points were being compiled at the culmination of the tournament, we were all biting our nails! Each final result would push the total to one side or the other between Whitefish and Columbia Falls,” debate coach Barry Conger aid.

In the end, the total points added to 165 for the Wildcats and 156 for Whitefish. Columbia Falls held onto their undefeated tournament status for the season, extending a winning streak started at the beginning of last year.

Both teams will meet again next weekend on the Class AA playing field at the Kalispell Regional Western Divisionals tournament at Glacier and Flathead. Columbia Falls hosts their tournament on Jan. 5-6.

Head coach Tara Norick praised the Whitefish team for a strong tournament.

“Whitefish continues to be our primary competition. They have a strong balanced team across Speech and Debate and we are working hard to stay competitive against them,” she said.

Individual results:

Policy Debate:

2nd Shyane Williams and Danielle Schwalk

4th Calie Jo Johnson and Tre Finley

Public Forum Debate:

2nd Laney Conger and Maggie McKeon

LD Debate:

2nd Gabby Merrell

Impromptu:

1st Ava Chisholm

Extemporaneous:

3rd Noah Golan

Humorous Oral Interpretation

1st Jacob Hohman

2nd Danielle Rosenbaum

Dramatic Interpretation:

3rd Jordyn King

5th Ave’ McDonald

6th Ava Chisholm

Memorized Public Address

1st Jordyn King

2nd Emmalee Hellen

6th Emma Erickson

Oratory

4th Paige Moriarty

6th Danielle Rosenbaum

Informative

4th Kennedy Payne

6th Jacob Hohman