Flathead High speech and debate victorious in Butte after intense competition
HILARY MATHESON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 6 months AGO
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 20, 2025 11:00 PM
It was a fight to the finish in Butte this weekend with Flathead High School speech and debate team having the last word. Flathead prevailed by a difference of 6.5 points.
Overall, Flathead scored 140 points for the win.
The difference between second and third place was even closer, with Bozeman slipping past Glacier High School by a mere 1.5 points, finishing in second place with 133.5 overall points to Glacier’s 132.
"This weekend's finish was a nail biter, and the win could easily have gone to any one of the top three schools. We are thrilled with the result, but it proves that the state championship is up for grabs this year," Flathead head coach Shannon O’Donnell said.
Adkins praised his team's determination to finish strong.
"What I am most proud of is how we battled back on Saturday. After the results on Friday night, it felt like we had zero chance to compete for the sweepstakes title, and our kids battled back on Saturday morning," he said.
Next up is the season finale Class AA State Championships in Bozeman.
“With all 16 AA schools competing, we could have one of the closest finishes at the state tournament in Bozeman on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1," Glacier head coach Greg Adkins said. “The competition was intense. "
The following are local results:
Varsity Policy Debate
4. Owen Carpenter and Josh Lee, Glacier
8. Lillie Groom and Kyra Russell, Glacier
Varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate
3. Hailey Fiala, Glacier
Public Forum Debate
1. Abigail O'Connell and Vikram Vatti, Flathead
3. Jack Syverson and Asher Stanfield, Glacier
4. Maya Kinkaid and Kennady Garvin, Glacier
5. Jack Blodgett and Brett Pesola, Flathead
6. Keegan West and Sarah Loran, Flathead
Legislative Debate
1. Kaylee Hampton, Flathead
3. B. Poitra, Flathead
7. Alyssa Conrad, Glacier
Extemporaneous Speaking
1. Fenton Liebe-Cohen, Flathead
2. Jake Milone, Flathead
Impromptu Speaking
3. Fenton Liebe-Cohen, Flathead
5. Jake Milone, Flathead
6. Autumn Bashara, Glacier
Duo Interpretation
1. Ayden Mintz and Zaiden Stout, Glacier
5. Kaylin Stein and Sophie Johnson, Glacier
7. Noel Cantrell and Myla Lamson, Glacier
8. Fallon Maas and Maxwell Jones, Flathead
Humorous Interpretation
4. Eli Sanderson Strutz, Glacier
5. Kaylin Stein, Glacier
7. Maxwell Jones, Flathead
Dramatic Interpretation
1. Noel Cantrell, Glacier
3. Megan Mikelson, Glacier
8. Fallon Maas, Flathead
Program Oral Interpretation
1. Ada Milner, Flathead
3. Anya Rountree, Glacier
4. Bronson Willcut, Flathead
5. Lindy Porter, Flathead
6. Ili Hoerth, Glacier
7. Jacob Braach, Flathead
Original Oratory
7. Claire Timm, Flathead
Informative Speaking
2. Layna Astley, Flathead
7. Claire Timm, Flathead
8. Eli Sanderson Strutz, Glacier
Memorized Public Address
2. Ada Milner, Flathead
5. Anya Rountree, Glacier
6. Calvin Casey, Glacier
7. Ili Hoerth, Glacier
Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].
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