Polson Speech and Debate Coach Robert DiGiallonardo said Polson High School’s sixth-place finish in Laurel is one of his proudest accomplishments as a coach.

“I coached for many many years, and speech and debate is just a different animal,” DiGiallonardo said. “Speech meets last longer than track meets and mentally, you have to stay focused for eight hours. That is a long time for 14 or 15-year-old kids. My mental focus lasts about three minutes and I was just as tired at this meet as I would have been had I played a basketball or football game.” The Polson Pirates brought eight mentally tough competitors to the state meet in sunny Laurel. One of the smallest teams at the meet still mustered a strong 6th place for the team. The teams that finished ahead of the Pirates fielded teams at least twice as large.

“It was a great trip and season, and both coaches are extremely proud of the year-long effort,” DiGiallonardo said.

Finishes at state include: Geneva des Lions fifth place in MPA and 7th place in Impromptu. In debate, Sophia Speckert finished fifth in Lincoln Douglas, and Anabelle Smith and Katelyn Toland finished 4th in Public Forum.

“We can’t wait to have Geneva back next year,” DiGiallonardo said.

“I have never been more proud of any team that I have ever coached in any sport,” DiGiallonardo said “I had football teams for 21 years and it’s one of the neatest, most fulfilling things I have ever experienced or done. The amount of time and preparation to host a speech and debate match was like landing troops on the beach. The kids did 75 percent of the work.”

DiGiallonardo credits his kids for sticking with the speech season.

“They stuck it out and got first place, even if it was just one round it was something else for a freshman,” DiGiallonardo said. “They have a really bright future on the horizon and our team will be somewhere between 15 and 20 next season. That will make a difference at state also.”

DiGiallonardo credits the help of Jon and Bonnie Petersen, his assistant coach Kyle Dunn and Jay Sampson for helping him make this season a successful campaign.