The Columbia Falls High School speech and debate team started 2019 with a win as they earned first place at the Corvallis Invitational over the weekend.

Led by Calie Jo Johnson and Tre Finley’s first-place finish in policy debate, Columbia Falls scored points in nine of 10 events amass 125 team points to finish first, more than double that of Corvallis and Stevensville, who tied for second with 51 points each.

The team of Ian McKenzie and Maggie McKeon was second in the policy debate event while Cassidy Norick and Kelsey Wright took third in public forum debate.

Head Coach Tara Norick was pleased with the results.

“We are deep into the season now, with just one preliminary season tournament left before Divisionals,” she said. “We are happy to see the team performing well overall. This has been a challenging year for us, and it has required our kids to really step up and put in some serious effort to keep strong.”

The regular season wraps up in Polson this weekend with Western Divisionals in Whitefish Jan. 19. The top 12 competitors there will earn a trip to the state tournament in Belgrade Jan. 24-15.

Corvallis Invitational:

Policy Debate:

1st – Calie Jo Johnson and Tre Finley

2nd – Ian McKenzie and Maggie McKeon

Public Forum Debate:

3rd – Cassidy Norick and Kelsey Wright

5th – Lara Erickson and Laney Conger

Lincoln-Douglas Debate:

4th – Chloe Coberley

Humorous Interpretation:

8th – Ave’ McDonald

Dramatic Interpretation:

7th – Isaac Adams

8th – Emmalee Hellen