The Columbia Falls speech and debate team dominated its home meet over the weekend, defeating more than 16 schools to win the meet while compiling more than twice as many points as second-place Whitefish.

Columbia Falls earned four first-place finishes to finish with 176 points in the team standings while Whitefish finished with 84 and Frenchtown was a distant third at 41.

Along with the four top finishes, Columbia Falls was second in five events and took third in another.

“We are proud of this team,” head coach Tara Norick said. “It is great to see such a breadth of talent from so many. They really put forth the effort and hopefully the community had the opportunity to see how amazing their kids really are.”

Paige Moriarity and Isaac Adams led the way Saturday as both earned first and second place finishes. Moriarity was first in impromptu speaking and second in original oratory while Adams was first in humorous interpretation and second in dramatic interpretation.

Columbia Falls also took home first place in two other events as Shyane Williams and Ava Foley were first in policy debate and Cassidy Norick and Kelsey Wright took the top spot in public forum debate.

The speech and debate team will have two weeks off before their next meet, the Stevensville Invitational, Nov. 30 – Dec. 1. The divisional tournament is in Whitefish Jan. 19 and the state championship will be in Belgrade Jan. 26. Columbia Falls is seeking its 14th consecutive state championship.

Columbia Falls Invitational:

Policy Debate:

1st Shyane Williams and Ava Foley

2nd Calie Jo Johnson and Tre Finley

5th Ian McKenzie and Maggie McKeon

Public Forum Debate:

1st Cassidy Norick and Kelsey Wright

5th Emma Stephens & Griffin Conger

8th Lara Erickson & Laney Conger

Memorized Public Address:

2nd Emmalee Hellen

Extemporaneous:

4th Sam Lovering

Impromptu:

1st Paige Moriarity

2nd Sam Lovering

Humorous Interpretation:

1st Isaac Adams

3rd Ave’ McDonald

Dramatic Interpretation:

2nd Isaac Adams

Original Oratory:

2nd Paige Moriarty

6th Suzanna Rosalez

8th Haileigh Bayee

Sweeps (team score)

1st Columbia Falls 176

2nd Whitefish 84

3rd Frenchtown 41