Flathead and Glacier high school speech and debate competitors finally got a word in this season after it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two Class AA high schools competed in their first tournament of the season on Friday and Saturday, which was held virtually because of the pandemic. Flathead scored 141 points overall, earning second place. Glacier placed third with 112 points. Bozeman took the top spot with 215.5 points.

"Competing virtually surely had its challenges for our team,” Glacier head coach Greg Adkins said. “As the two-day tournament progressed, we certainly became comfortable with the new platform.”

Flathead head coach Shannon O’Donnell said that while FHS and GHS both had strong first performances, “Bozeman was a powerhouse this weekend, scoring points in nearly every debate and speech event and proving they wIll be the team to beat this season.

“I’m proud of how our kids performed and thrilled by the number of new competitors who saw success this weekend,” O’Donnell said. “Moments like these, in the midst of COVID, really demonstrate the character of our kids. They rallied together, and even those who did not advance to semis and finals stayed at the school with their team, in order to celebrate the achievements of those who did.”

The season was supposed to start with practices in October, but the Montana High School Association voted to push it back a month to give teams time to prepare for the virtual format. Teams are competing using an online platform through the National Speech and Debate Association called Tabroom.

Students compete from their respective schools and towns. All teams are also expected to provide volunteer judges for each tournament (as opposed to a normal season where schools hosting a tournament supply all the judges) and Kalispell needs people to sign up.

People will judge rounds from home. No prior experience is necessary to judge and virtual training will be offered the week of a tournament on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. People interested in judging may register at www.kalispellspeechdebate.org and create an account at www.tabroom.com. The next tournament is Dec. 11-12 and the speech season goes through January. For more information about judging email nivak@sd5.k12.mt.us.

Following are individual results from the tournament.

Varsity Policy Debate

1. Braden Anderson and Evan Sevaly, Flathead

Novice Lincoln-Douglas Debate

1. Emmary Faerber, Flathead
2. Simon MacLean, Glacier
3. Maya Harris, Glacier

Varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate

1. Eva Bruce, Flathead
2. Simon Roston, Glacier

Public Forum

1. Joe Schlegel and Rory Smith, Glacier

Legislative Debate

1. Anelise Mason, Flathead
2. Ryler Houser, Flathead
3. Jake Keller, Glacier
4. Kelvin Dixon, Flathead

Extemporaneous Speaking

1. Bella Teggeman, Glacier
2. Rylin Wilde, Flathead

Impromptu Speaking

1. Maayana Sattler, Flathead
2. Leah Spangler, Flathead
3. Scout McMahon, Flathead
4. Neila Lyngholm, Flathead

Duo Interpretation

1. James Francis and Kadence Johnson, Flathead
2. Dresden Allred and Yayne Myers, Glacier
3. Carson Robison and Ella McGuffie, Flathead
4. Aiden Christy and Hannah Greene, Flathead
5. Sydney Barcus and Jane Trina, Glacier
6. Isaac Lorenc and Jarrod Wutke, Glacier

Humorous Interpretation

1. James Francis, Flathead
2. Adina Lockwood, Flathead
3. Aiden Christy, Flathead
4. Bauer Hollman, Flathead
5. Meyer Fauth, Glacier

Dramatic Interpretation

1. Jarrod Wutke, Glacier
2. Sydney Barcus, Glacier
3. Kayanna Kapity, Glacier
4. Kadence Johnson, Flathead
5. Kaelin Holt, Glacier

Memorized Public Address

1. Janasya Amaker, Glacier
2. Avram Bingham, Glacier

Original Oratory

1. Carson Robison, Flathead
2. Sydney Fletcher, Glacier
3. Dresden Allred, Glacier
4. Mac Adkins, Glacier
5. Bella AuClaire, Glacier

Informative Speaking

1. Lane McKoy, Glacier
2. Mason Hermann, Flathead