The Whitefish speech and debate team defeated Columbia Falls to clinch the Class A State title for the first time since 2021. 

The margin of victory was narrow as Whitefish accumulated 255 points to Columbia Falls’ 250, while Frenchtown was third with 84 points.  

Whitefish came home with three first place champions: David Losee in extemporaneous speaking (extemp), Unity Loveless in memorized public address, and Jake Dunker and Bjorn Bungener as a duo in policy debate.  

Extemp and policy were also first and second place sweeps for Whitefish.  

With the state win, Whitefish reversed the results from Western A Divisionals the week prior, when Columbia Falls had beaten out Whitefish by 16 points. 

"With a mixed team of experienced and rookie competitors, we showed the resilience and dedication necessary to overcome challenges and the loss at divisionals to bring home a state championship,” Whitefish Assistant Coach Jason Brown said. 

It was a season – and a recent legacy – of back-and-forth finishes between the two teams. The Wildcats had also taken the win by 13 points at the last tournament of the regular season prior to divisionals,  

The competition between the Dog-Cat speech debate teams has grown tighter over the last four years, with Whitefish taking the runner-up position at state in both 2024 and 2023. In 2022, Frenchtown beat both out for the state title.  

Prior to 2021, Columbia Falls had a 15-year winning streak.  

“We are certainly proud of this championship,” said Sara Mueller, head coach for Whitefish. “I am awed by how this group persevered throughout an up and down season. 

“We must also give thanks and congratulations to our friends at Columbia Falls, who have built and continued a tradition of excellence for many years.  

“Their strength pushes us to be better, and the relationship between the teams and coaches is something I know both schools are proud of,” Mueller said.  

Whitefish Class A state tournament individual results:  

Policy Debate: 1. Jake Dunker and Bjorn Bungener, 2. Vana Fortune and Ethan Hunsaker, 7. Cohen Gates and Andrew Gibbs 

Public Forum: 3. Marcus Mercer and Gracie Sliman, 5. Brynn McDonald and Solvei Gunderson, 7. Avery McPherson and Shailey Green 

Extemp: 1. David Losee, 2. Mason Loeffler 

Impromptu: 2. Iona Sarraille, 4. Astir Pulsifer Memorized Public Address: 1. Unity Loveless, 3. Mason Loeffler 

Original Oratory: 3. Astir Pulsifer, 8. Lizzy Holien 

Informative: 4. Scarlet Burke 

Humorous Interp: 2. Lillian Nelson 

Duo Interp: 4. Scarlet Burke and Unity Loveless, 5. Coy Moss and Lillian Nelson, 6. Lizzy Holien and Avery Sorensen 

Program Oral Interp: 2. Iona Sarraille, 7. Maren Cromie