Columbia Falls High School Speech and Debate finished first at the Polson Pirate Palooza tournament over the weekend with 145 overall points.

Not far behind was Whitefish High School Speech and Debate with 120 points. Polson placed third with 79 points.

The strong finishes are a lead-in to Class A northwest and southwest divisionals, where the Whitefish team will battle it out on their home turf on Friday and Saturday.

“It’s going to be a tough tournament” said Columbia Falls sophomore Paige Moriarty. “The top 12 in each event go to state. We know we will be battling in every category, but we are prepared, and we’re looking forward to it.”

The Class A state tournament is Jan. 25-26 in Belgrade.

“We’re excited to see how competition will shake out over the next two weeks,” Whitefish Head Coach Sara Mueller said, noting the team’s improvement this season.

Following are individual results from the Polson tournament.

Policy Debate

1. Ian McKenzie and Maggie McKeon, Columbia Falls

3. Abby Lowry and Ivan Cline, Whitefish

4. Anton Young and Elyse Pendlay, Bigfork

5. Calie Jo Johnson and Tre Finley, Columbia Falls

6. Shyane Williams and Ava Foley, Columbia Falls

Public Forum Debate

1. Cassidy Norick and Kelsey Wright, Columbia Falls

2. Lara Erickson and Laney Conger, Columbia Falls

3. Emma Stephens and Griffin Conger, Columbia Falls

5. Mary Hooks and Andrew Brosek, Whitefish

6. Stacia Tremper and Sophie Tabor, Whitefish

7. Sydney Garcia and Gavin Carmichael, Whitefish

Lincoln-Douglas Debate

3. Raphe Salmon, Columbia Falls

4. Chloe Coberley, Columbia Falls

7. Lilly Butts, Whitefish

8. Jayden Webb, Columbia Falls

Impromptu Speaking

4. Regan Tintzman, Whitefish

8. Paige Moriarty, Columbia Falls

Extemporaneous Speaking

4. Abigail Bowden, Whitefish

6. Kristen Hutz, Bigfork

7. Cole Hider, Bigfork

8. Grayson Butler, Whitefish

Humorous Interpretation

3. Logan Mercer, Whitefish

4. Danika Tintzman, Whitefish

6. Lucy Schindler, Whitefish

Dramatic Interpretation

4. Gabby Pickett, Whitefish

5. Emmalee Hellen, Columbia Falls

7. Naya Brigette, Whitefish

8. Lucy Schindler, Whitefish

Memorized Public Address

1. Suzanna Rosalez, Columbia Falls

2. Grace Benkelman, Whitefish

3. Emmalee Hellen, Columbia Falls

6. Haileigh Bayee, Columbia Falls

8. Madigan Kinslow, Bigfork

Informative Speaking

1. Anya Young, Bigfork

2. Elizabeth Campbell, Whitefish

3. Bethany Barnes, Whitefish

Original Oratory

1. Aidan Reid, Whitefish

5. Haileigh Bayee, Columbia Falls