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Glacier speech and debate team secures home turf win at Yeti Invitational

HILARY MATHESON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 9 months AGO
by HILARY MATHESON
EDUCATION REPORTER Hilary Matheson covers education for the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on schools, students, and the policies that shape public education across Northwest Montana. Matheson regularly reports on school boards, district decisions and issues affecting teachers and families. Her work examines how funding, enrollment and state policy influence local school systems. She helps readers understand how education decisions affect students and communities throughout the region. IMPACT: Hilary’s work provides transparency and insight into the schools that serve thousands of local families. | January 8, 2024 11:00 PM

Glacier High School captured first place on home turf this weekend at the Yeti Invitational speech and debate tournament, followed by runner-up, Flathead High School.

Glacier amassed 241.5 overall points for the top spot and Flathead, 163. Missoula Hellgate placed third with 102.5 points. 

In Class A, B and C, Columbia Falls High School placed first with 84.5 overall points followed by Whitefish High School with 23 points. Out of all classes, the two teams ranked fourth and fifth respectively.

The two-day tournament featured 14 teams with many schools taking advantage of entering junior varsity competitors. Tournament director and Glacier head coach Greg Adkins said the tournament was a late addition to the schedule after a previously scheduled event in Spokane, Washington, experienced low registration numbers.

“We are very appreciative of the support we received in order to host this tournament at the last minute. We couldn't have done it without the help of all the coaches involved as well as this amazing Flathead Valley community who provided a tremendous pool of judges,” Adkins said.

Following is a list of local results.


Varsity Policy Debate

1. Kynsleigh Gould and Eleanor Hollingsworth, Columbia Falls

2. Josh Lee and Robert Knowles, Glacier

3. Alex Losee and Vana Fortune, Whitefish

4. Boone Shanks and Lauren Rogers, Columbia Falls

5. Odessa Barela and Deloris Home Gun, Glacier

6. Bjorn Bungener and Jake Dunker, Whitefish


Varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate

1. Maya Graham, Flathead

2. Anya Denmark, Glacier

3. Kevin Fortin, Glacier

4. Brody Turner, Flathead


Public Forum Debate

4. Jayce McDonald and Brynn McDonald, Whitefish

5. Jack Brett Blodgett and Pesola, Flathead

6. Christopher Daenzer and Quinn Caudle, Columbia Falls

7. Avery McPherson and Ella Walker, Whitefish

8. Lauren Todd and Brysen Herion, Flathead


Legislative Debate

2. Emmery Schmidt, Glacier

3. Kaylee Hampton, Flathead

4. Michael Palmer, Flathead

5. Jack Syverson, Glacier

6. B Poitra, Flathead

7. Alyssa Conrad, Glacier

8. Jakoby Isles, Glacier


Extemporaneous Speaking

1. Jake Milone, Flathead

2. Rachel Ottman, Flathead

3. Sophia Bourriague, Glacier

4. Fenton Liebe-Cohen, Flathead

8. Blake Lindemann, Glacier


Impromptu Speaking

1. Rachel Ottman, Flathead

2. Brenna Ernst, Glacier

3. Sophia Bourriague, Glacier

4. Kelsea Bemis, Glacier

5. Taylor Pooton, Flathead

6. Erek Benson, Flathead

7. Kendall Dolan, Glacier


Duo Interpretation

1. Collin Olson and Adina Lockwood, Flathead

2. Quindy Gronley and Alden Lamson, Glacier

3. Kaylin Stein and Zaden Stout, Glacier

4. Ruby Davis and Kinzie Taylor, Columbia Falls

5. Daniel Cole and Myla Lamson, Glacier

6. Reed Wollenzien and Carson Settles, Columbia Falls

7. Lucas Counts and Kajsa Mohr, Columbia Falls

8. Ben Moore and Ryan Kitzmiller, Flathead


Humorous Interpretation

1. Meyer Fauth, Glacier

2. Kaylin Stein, Glacier

3. Cole Pickert, Whitefish

4. Adina Lockwood, Flathead

5. Collin Olson, Flathead

6. Siarah Holden, Flathead

7. Claire Ennis, Glacier


Dramatic Interpretation

1. Brenna Ernst, Glacier

2. Jax Stebbins-Han, Flathead

3. Annabeth O'Shea, Glacier

4. Gabrielle Cantrell-Musson, Glacier

5. Noel Cantrell, Glacier

6. Fallon Maas, Flathead

7. Annie Walsh, Whitefish

8. Hayden Holloway, Glacier


Program Oral Interpretation

1. Anya Rountree, Glacier

3. Lindy Porter, Flathead

4. Calvin Casey, Glacier

5. Cielo Sallee, Glacier

6. Natalie Young, Flathead


Original Oratory

1. Quindy Gronley, Glacier

2. Myla Lamson, Glacier

3. Astir Pulsifer, Whitefish

5. Isabelle McKoy, Glacier

6. Layna Astley, Flathead

8. Iona Sarraille, Whitefish


Informative Speaking1. Ruby Davis, Columbia Falls

3. Alden Lamson, Glacier

5. Annabeth O'Shea, Glacier

6. Keanu Ng, Flathead

7. Carson Settles, Columbia Falls


Memorized Public Address

1. Gabrielle Cantrell-Musson, Glacier

2. Claire Timm, Flathead

3. Ellie Fiala, Glacier

4. Calvin Casey, Glacier

5. Unity Loveless, Whitefish

6. Hadley Dennison, Flathead

7. Eleanor Smiley, Columbia Falls

8. Jacob Braach, Flathead


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

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