Four Vikings qualify for national debate tournament
Shirley Stine Bigfork High School | Bigfork Eagle | UPDATED 4 days, 3 hours AGO
Bigfork High School's speech and debate team at the State A finals. (Courtesy photo)
The bus rides are long, the energy drinks aren't quite enough, and the weekends are grueling, but for the Bigfork High School Speech, Drama and Debate team, the sacrifice has officially paid off.
In a sport often dominated by the sheer numbers of the state’s largest high schools, the Bigfork Speech and Debate team proved this weekend that quality often outweighs quantity.
Competing at the NSDA Western Montana District Tournament at Sentinel High School, the Vikings delivered a stunning performance, finishing 3rd place overall in Speech Sweepstakes. The result is particularly notable given the company they kept on the podium: Bigfork finished just behind Flathead and Glacier High Schools—both Class AA powerhouses with significantly larger rosters.
By holding their own against the "Goliaths" of Western Montana, the Vikings didn't just bring home a trophy; they punched four tickets to the National Speech & Debate Tournament in Richmond, Virginia.
Leading the charge for Bigfork were veterans Brody Henion, Micah Butler, and Olivia Close, who all qualified for Nationals for the second time in their careers. For this trio, the weekend was a confirmation of their status as some of the state's elite competitors, successfully navigating the grueling district rounds to return to the national stage.
Joining them is Madeline Pomeroy, whose breakout performance secured her a National qualification for the first time. Pomeroy’s success added a critical spark to the team’s overall score, helping lift the Vikings past several larger programs to claim the 3rd place hardware.
"It’s difficult to overstate how tough this district is," said Head Coach Shirley Stine. "To stand on the podium right next to Flathead and Glacier is a massive achievement for a school our size. It validates all the long weekends, the endless practice, and the grind that Brody, Micah, Olivia, and Madeline have put in all season."
The team now turns its eyes toward Richmond, where they will compete against the best speakers and debaters from across the country this June.