Speech and debate takes second at Western A divisional

The Columbia Falls speech and debate team took second at the Western A Divisional tourney in Ronan Saturday, losing by just two points to Whitefish, 224-222.

The Wildcats had four divisional champions and will send a host of competitors to state this weekend in hopes of a 25th state A title.

“The team worked tirelessly last week, while also taking their final exams.  Their hard work was reflected in the narrowing of the point spread from the Bigfork tournament the week before (where the Cats lost by a slim margin as well),” coach Dawn Wheeler noted. “Whitefish and Columbia Falls finished the season with teams that are evenly matched so we expect this tight competition to continue at our State tournament this weekend at Corvallis.  

“The addition of Eastern Division teams like Laurel and East Helena does add a new challenge as we have had limited opportunities to compete against them. Their presence at state will add another layer of competition for us in individual events and affect the close season-long battle between us and Whitefish.  

“While Whitefish has finished the season strong, we feel good about our ability to perform well in longer, two-day tournaments, which is the format we will face at state. This week we will sharpen our focus to polish pieces, and refine debate cases - preparing to compete with the best from teams across the state,” Wheeler said,

Divisional Champs:

Kory Moran, 1st in Dramatic Interpretation

Cheyanne Dear-Ruel & Kendal Moultray, 1st in Policy Debate

Eleanor Smiley, 1st in Informative

The following Wildcats also placed in their events:

Merell Cooley, 2nd in Memorized Public Address

Kajsa Mohr & Kory Moran, 2nd in DUO Interpretation

Tia Marie Poor, 2nd in Dramatic & Humorous Interpretation

Megan Day & Lily Aveson, 2nd in Policy Debate

Merrick Fairchild, 3rd in Program Oral Interp

Greyson Pfeifle, 3rd in Extemporaneous

Von Blanchard & Von Blanchard, 3rd in DUO Interpretation

Brandon Widhalm, 4th in Humorous Interpretation

Malakai Shaw & Chloe Kinsella, 4th in Public Forum Debate

Eleanor Smiley, 4th in Impromptu

Greyson Pfeifle, 5th in Informative

Von Blanchard, 5th in Dramatic Interpretation

Abby Lawhead, 5th in Original Oratory

Adrien Sandon-Thompson, 5th in Humorous Interpretation

Logan Emerson & Sage Petioni, 5th in Public Forum Debate

Phebe Smiley & Bailey Combs, 5th in Policy Debate

Kira Shanks, 6th in Impromptu

Merrick Fairchild, 6th in Extemporaneous

Abby Lawhead, 7th in Impromptu

Keian Moran & Josie Carlburg, 7th in Public Forum Debate

Adrien Sandon-Thompson & Jacob Osborn, 7th in DUO Interp

Loren Connors, 7th in Lincoln Douglas Debate

Olivia Lawson, 8th in Memorized Public Address

Elizabeth Burton, 8th in Informative

Merell Cooley, State Qualifier in Original Oratory

Kira Shanks, State Qualifier in Program Oral Interp

Callie Williams, State Qualifier in Program Oral Interp

Josie Ekholt, State Qualifier in Lincoln Douglas Debate

Jay Carlin, State Qualifier in Extemporaneous & Memorized Public Address

Braden Mace, 2nd State Alternate for Lincoln Douglas Debate