Glacier and Flathead high schools swept the competition on their home turf, securing the top two spots at the Western Regional Speech and Debate Tournament.

Fifteen teams with 418 entries competed in speech and debate events held at the two Kalispell high schools Dec. 8 and 9.

Glacier secured the Class AA trophy with 257 overall points. Flathead achieved second place with 226 overall points followed by Missoula Hellgate in third with 99 overall points.

“Our team showed true grit this weekend,” Glacier head coach Greg Adkins said. “I am so excited at our hard work this season, especially this past week. Our coaching staff challenged the team, and they responded with dedication and determination. Winning the home meet is a big deal, and we held off a very good Flathead team.”

In Class A, B and C, Columbia Falls High School continued its undefeated season with 70 overall points followed by Whitefish High School in second place with 23 points. Frenchtown was third with 12 points. Compared to all competing schools and classes, Columbia Falls placed fifth and Whitefish High School placed eighth. 

With hundreds of people serving as volunteer judges over the two-day tournament, Flathead head coach Shannon O’Donnell thanked the community for turning out.

“Each year I am overwhelmed by this community's support of our speech and debate programs. These tournaments are huge and require hundreds of judges. We could not do it without the support of parents and community members, so thank you to everyone who judged,” O’Donnell said.

Following are local individual results.

Varsity Policy Debate

1. Owen Carpenter and Josh Lee, Glacier

2. Robert Knowles and Tristen Jorgenson, Glacier

3. Isaac Sandler and Vincent Lam, Flathead

5. Alex Losee and Vana Fortune, Whitefish

6. Boone Shanks and Lauren Rogers, Columbia Falls

7. Jake Dunker and Ella Walker, Whitefish

Novice Policy Debate

2. Odessa Barela and Deloris Home Gun, Glacier

4. Elizabeth Easley and Madison Stewart, Flathead

5. Cayden Porter and John Provo, Flathead

7. Ries Amigud and Abbey Donais, Glacier

Novice Lincoln-Douglas Debate

2. Ariana Ramsay, Flathead

7. Mavery Fauth, Glacier

Varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate

1. Gaby Allred, Glacier

3. Brody Turner, Flathead

4. Maya Graham, Flathead

Public Forum Debate

2. Christopher Daenzer and Quinn Caudle, Columbia Falls

3. Jack Boone and Maya Kinkaid, Glacier

4. Jack Blodgett and Brett Pesola, Flathead

5. Kennady Garvin and Asher Stanfield, Glacier

7. Abigail O'Connell and Fin Reed, Flathead

Legislative Debate

1. Emmery Schmidt, Glacier

4. Kaylee Hampton, Flathead

7. Michael Palmer, Flathead

8. Alyssa Conrad, Glacier

Extemporaneous Speaking

1. Jake Milone, Flathead

2. Rachel Ottman, Flathead

5. Blake Lindemann, Glacier

6. Taylor Pooton, Flathead

7. Dalton Howser, Flathead

8. Atticus Cheman, Glacier

Impromptu Speaking

1. Rachel Ottman, Flathead

2. Brenna Ernst, Glacier

5. Taylor Pooton, Flathead

8. Iona Sarraille, Whitefish

Duo Interpretation

1. Lucas Counts and Kajsa Mohr, Columbia Falls

2. Tag Schow and Siarah Holden, Flathead

3. Kaylin Stein and Zaden Stout, Glacier

4. Collin Olson and Adina Lockwood, Flathead

5. Quindy Gronley and Alden Lamson, Glacier

6. Claire Ennis and Ulrich Warner, Glacier

7. Ben Moore and Ryan Kitzmiller, Flathead

8. Scarlet Burke and Unity Loveless, Whitefish

Humorous Interpretation

1. Adina Lockwood, Flathead

2. Claire Ennis, Glacier

3. Collin Olson, Flathead

4. Siarah Holden, Flathead

6. Cole Pickert, Whitefish

8. Daniel Cole, Glacier

Dramatic Interpretation

1. Brenna Ernst, Glacier

3. Gabrielle Cantrell-Musson, Glacier

4. Annabeth O'Shea, Glacier

7. Hayden Holloway, Glacier

8. Quinn Dunham, Glacier

Program Oral Interpretation

1. Anya Rountree, Glacier

2. Ada Milner, Flathead

3. Tag Schow, Flathead

4. Lindy Porter, Flathead

5. Cielo Sallee, Glacier

7. Calvin Casey, Glacier

8. Ili Hoerth, Glacier

Original Oratory

1. Quindy Gronley, Glacier

2. Hailey Hendrickson, Flathead

3. Ethan Grant, Glacier

4. Claire Timm, Flathead

6. Myla Lamson, Glacier

7. Astir Pulsifer, Whitefish

8. Ellie Fiala, Glacier

Informative Speaking

1. Hailey Hendrickson, Flathead

2. Ruby Davis, Columbia Falls

5. Annabeth O'Shea, Glacier

6. Lucy Downey, Flathead

Memorized Public Address

1. Gabrielle Cantrell-Musson, Glacier

2. Ethan Grant, Glacier

4. Eleanor Smiley, Columbia Falls

5. Ellie Fiala, Glacier

6. Claire Timm, Flathead

7. Hadley Dennison, Flathead

8. Ella Halliburton, Glacier

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].