Whitefish takes top honors at home speech meet

In what Whitefish High head speech and debate coach Gil Jordan called "truly a team effort," 25 of 26 Bulldog competitors placed in their home-tournament events Saturday to secure a 161-150 win over cross-valley rival Columbia Falls.

Polson placed third with 39 points.

The Bulldogs' Jacob Fern, Shane Hanson and Owen Goble won individual titles in three events.

"This was likely a preview of what we might expect at the divisional tournament in Libby, Jan. 21," Jordan said.

"Columbia Falls is very strong in many speech events, and has some good debaters as well. It shows us we will need to stay very focused and continue to improve if we are to remain competitive at the end of the season when it counts for qualifying for state," he said.

Columbia Falls head coach Michael Christensen was pleased with his team's efforts.

Wildcat competitors took first place in five separate events, an accomplishment that Christensen called a good indication of progress.

"I actually expected worse after our experience at divisionals in Whitefish last year when we lost by over 100 points," Christensen said. "I'm pleased with our kids' effort in narrowing that gap, and we continue to see areas we can work on to improve."

Results for Whitefish and Columbia Falls from the Whitefish Invitational:

-Extemporaneous Speaking - 1. Jacob Fern, Whitefish; 3. Brielle Menegazzi, Whitefish; 4. Alex Riffey, Columbia Falls; 5. Ben Donner, Columbia Falls

-Impromptu Speaking - 2. Kearstin Jacobson, Whitefish; 3. Michelle Cronquist; Columbia Falls; 5. Alex Branch, Columbia Falls; 7. Cameron Fauth, Whitefish

-Original Oratory - 1. Tashia Shupert, Columbia Falls; 2. LeAnn Books, Whitefish; 4. Vanesha Riley, Columbia Falls

-Memorized Public Address - 1. Lindie Burgess, Columbia Falls; 2. Noelle Niles, Whitefish; 4. Cassie Hollopeter , Columbia Falls

-Expository Speaking - 2. Maya Negron, Columbia Falls; 3. Emilee Christensen, Whitefish

-Serious Oral Interpretation - 1. Sydney Jordt, Columbia Falls; 2. Annie Rottenbiller, Whitefish; 3. Brittany Calderwood, Columbia Falls

-Humorous Oral Interpretation - 1. Natalie Jackson, Columbia Falls; 3. Michael Samdahl, Whitefish; 5. Nathan Kuehl, Columbia Falls; 6. Heather Jurva, Columbia Falls; 8. Evan Harris, Whitefish

-Varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate - 1. Shane Hanson, Whitefish; 2. Brandon Norick, Columbia Falls; 3. Trevor Bennett, Whitefish; 4. Matt Gwiazdon, Whitefish; 6. Jake deNeui, Whitefish; 7. Jack Quatman, Whitefish

-Novice Lincoln-Douglas Debate - 1. Owen Goble, Whitefish; 2. Ellen Scheffer, Whitefish; 3. Matt McBride, Whitefish; 4. Tiffany Gross, Columbia Falls; 5. Matt Denny, Whitefish

-Varsity Policy Debate - 1. Andrew Dahlen and Danielle Fagre, Columbia Falls; 2. Chausea Jacobson and Erica Calys, Whitefish; 3. Nellie Lutz and Adeline Pepin, Columbia Falls; 4. Ian McKay and Andy Hudak, Whitefish; 5. Aaron Jungitsch and Joseph Peterson, Columbia Falls; 6. Holly Cullen and Emily Jones, Whitefish; 7. Ryan Cox and Patrick Ingham, Columbia Falls