Bigfork High School Speech and Debate team is going into state with confidence.

The Bigfork team will compete at the Class B-C tournament Friday and Saturday at Montana State University-Northern hosted by Chinook.

“We’ve done really well this season,” said Bigfork Head Coach Charlie Appleby. “We have a deep team this year, which we haven’t had in the past. We got two or three competitors to state in six events.”

There will be a total of 18 competitors at state.

“We hope that it takes us to a state placement. Last year we finished third at state, behind Loyola and Ronan. We’d be happy to be in that mix again,” Appleby said.

The teams strengths this year are in memorized events such as Informative Speaking, Memorized Public Address and Original Oratory with some promising performances by both returners Original Oratory state champion Grace Olechowski and third place state finisher in Memorized Public Address Riley Hoveland, in addition to newcomers.

“Newcomer Anya Young has been a great surprise in Informative winning several events this year,” Appleby said.

Hoveland, a junior, added some drama events — mime and hum duo — to the list of the team’s strongest events.

State is unlike any regular season tournament, Hoveland said.

“It is a lot different than regular tournaments,” she said. “There is a ton of preparation, as well as a lot of pressure. Every meet this season is gearing up for (hopefully) seven rounds at state. It’s overnight, which is a lot of fun. But it’s hard work, you have to give 110 percent every round.”

After placing third at state last year, Hoveland is making the push to again finish in the top three, if not first.

“I really want to win,” Hoveland said.

Reporter Hilary Matheson can be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.