The Columbia Falls High School speech and debate team brought home the hardware from Stevensville as the Class A Western Divisional champions. 

The champions amassed 236 points overall for the win. Runner-up Whitefish High School scored 136 points. Stevensville took third with 55 points.

Leading the Columbia Falls team of 34 competitors were seven champions in individual events including: Lucas Counts and Kajsa Mohr in Duo Interpretation, Sage Petioni in Extemporaneous Speaking, Kory Moran in Humorous Interpretation, Sage Petioni in Impromptu Speaking, Ruby Davis in Informative Speaking, Chris Daenzer and Quinn Caudle in Public Forum Debate, and Kynsleigh Gould and Eleanor Hollingsworth in Policy Debate.

The divisional tournament determines who qualifies to compete at state Jan. 26 and 27.

Columbia Falls head coach Dawn Roe said the team qualified to compete in all events at state with 29 entries. 

“The last few weeks were tough for the kids with school and practices canceled for weather, while also juggling their final exams. These amazing kids did not let that get in their way,” Roe said.

Whitefish secured 25 state entries, which includes Memorized Public Address divisional champion Ella Walker. Whitefish head coach Sarah Mueller also noted her team’s persistence through the weather-related cancellations and final exams. 

“... this team has shown dedication and perseverance beyond what I have seen from past teams,” Mueller said. “Although we know we will face strong competition from across the state, we are proud to be one of the teams with high expectations for next weekend. 

Columbia Falls will host the Class A state tournament. Flathead High School and Glacier High School will compete at the Class AA state tournament in Missoula.

Following are local results from divisionals. 

Duo Interpretation

1. Lucas Counts and Kajsa Mohr, Columbia Falls

2. Carson Settles and Reed Wollenzien, Columbia Falls

4. Ruby Davis and Makinzie Taylor, Columbia Falls

5. Ella Walker and Meghan Amick, Whitefish

7. Scarlet Burke and Unity Loveless, Whitefish

Also qualifying — Kenny Stone and Lillian Nelson, Whitefish

Dramatic Interpretation

4. Reed Wollenzien, Columbia Falls

7. Annie Walsh, Whitefish

8. Lorelai Dekay, Columbia Falls

Also qualifying — Cole Pickert, Whitefish

Humorous Interpretation

1. Kory Moran, Columbia Falls

2. Cole Pickert, Whitefish

3. Kajsa Mohr, Columbia Falls

4. Logan Peterson, Columbia Falls

6. Kenny Stone, Whitefish

Also Qualifying — Lillian Nelson, Whitefish

Extemporaneous Speaking

1. Sage Petioni, Columbia Falls 

2. David Losee, Whitefish

4. Selah Heinzen, Columbia Falls 

6. Avery Sorensen, Whitefish

Also qualifying — Lucas Counts, Columbia Falls

Impromptu Speaking

1. Sage Petioni, Columbia Falls

4. Iona Sarraille, Whitefish

5. Astir Pulsifer, Whitefish

6. Eleanor Smiley, Columbia Falls

8. Olivia McCarley, Columbia Falls

Informative Speaking

1. Ruby Davis, Columbia Falls

4. Carson Settles, Columbia Falls

Public Forum Debate

1. Chris Daenzer and Quinn Caudle, Columbia Falls 

3. Jayce McDonald and Brynn McDonald, Whitefish

4. Ana Alevizos and Avery McPherson, Whitefish

5. Shailey Green and Saige Smith, Whitefish

6. Colton Little and Logan Emerson, Columbia Falls 

Also qualifying — Keian Moran and Malakai Shaw, Columbia Falls

Policy Debate

1. Kynsleigh Gould and Eleanor Hollingsworth, Columbia Falls

2. Lauren Rogers and Boone Shanks, Columbia Falls

3. Kendal Moultray and Zoe Roemer, Columbia Falls

4. Alex Losee and Vana Fortune, Whitefish

5. Bjorn Bungener and Jake Dunker, Whitefish

Lincoln Douglas-Debate

2. Charlotte Perkins, Whitefish

3. E. Ratchye, Whitefish

5. Melody McNally, Columbia Falls

6. Ivy Salmon, Columbia Falls

Also qualifying — Nalani Rivera, Columbia Falls

Memorized Public Address

1. Ella Walker, Whitefish

3. Eleanor Smiley, Columbia Falls

6. Unity Loveless, Whitefish

7. Merell Cooley, Columbia Falls

Also qualifying — Kira Shanks, Columbia Falls

Original Oratory

5. Eleana Dorr, Columbia Falls

8. Iona Sarraille, Whitefish 

Also qualifying — Astir Pulsifer, Whitefish

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