Speech and debate competition heats up

The competition at the speech and debate tournament in Columbia Falls Jan. 9-10 proved that the battle for state in Northwest A will be tight.  

“The team worked hard over break to put together some updates to pieces and prepare for new debate topics,” said Whitefish Coach Sara Mueller. “We can certainly see areas where that work paid off right away. The teams in the West are going to be bringing some amazing competition to Corvallis for State three weeks from now.” 

Columbia Falls had the edge in the team sweepstakes, with Whitefish and Bigfork not far behind in second and third, respectively.  

The team will compete in Bigfork on Saturday, the last in-season competition prior to Western A Divisionals on Jan. 26.  

Whitefish individual results from Columbia Falls invite:  

Policy Debate: 2. Bjorn Bungener and Cohen Gates, 5. Andrew Gibbs and Ozel Peters, 6. Annika Alevizos and Zooey Alevizos 

Lincoln-Douglas: 1. Sage Delaloye, 6. Anastasia Alevizos 

Public Forum Debate: 1. Shailey Green and Avery McPherson, 2. Marcus Mercer and Gracie Sliman, 6. David Losee and Avery Sorensen 

Extemporaneous: 1. Logan Covey, 2. Mason Loeffler, 7. Fawkes Flaherty 

Impromptu: 4. Astir Pulsifer, 5. Sierra Gibb 

Humorous Interp: 5. Lillian Nelson 

Dramatic Interp: 7. Aiden Cubbage 

Program Oral Interp: 2. Scarlet Burke, 7. Charlie Helgeson 

Duo Interp: 2. Scarlet Burke and Unity Loveless, 5. Cassidy Krack and Lillian Nelson 

Original Oratory: 3. Astir Pulsifer, 8. Meghan Amick 

Memorized Public Address: 1. Unity Loveless, 4. Logan Covey, 7. Mason Loeffler