Flathead speech takes 2nd at meet

Once again local high school speech and debate teams have come up short against a tough squad from Bozeman High School.

Flathead and Glacier came in second and third, respectively, at the Missoula Garden City Speech and Debate Tournament Friday and Saturday. Bozeman finished first for its second straight meet, with 173.5 points. Flathead ended the weekend with 139 points, edging out Glacier’s 132.5 points.

Glacier head coach Greg Adkins praised his team for their performance.

“A week ago in Helena, we really struggled on Saturday afternoon, and this week we really emphasized getting through the semifinal round. We accomplished that and held the lead with a number of finalists,” he said.

“Our next step is to finish strong and actually win some more events, but I’m really excited at our improvement.”

Glacier had one individual champion over the weekend, sophomore Toni Braig in Expository Speaking.

Flathead had champions in six events: Sam Watson in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Tierney Strandberg in Memorized Public Address, Bri Boozel in Serious Oral Interpretation, Jesse Francis in Humorous Oral Interpretation and Hannah Anderson in Impromptu Speaking and Extemporaneous Speaking.

Flathead head coach Karen Downes was proud of her team.

“We had some really great things happen. We are improving as a team, which is the most important thing,” she said.

“Bozeman is a powerhouse. All of the teams are going to be working on catching them at state. What happens between now and then is not as important as the focus on January” and the state tournament, she added.

Big performances from Columbia Falls competitors helped the school defeat Class B powerhouse Loyola Sacred Heart High School for the Class A-B-C trophy. Senior Stephanie Christensen placed in two events, and two Novice Policy Debate teams placed. Eight other students made it to the semifinal round in their events.

“There is a high level of competition at AA tournaments,” head coach Tara Norick said. “This tournament provided a lot of experience for our freshman team members and now we have a week off to prepare” for the Kalispell Invitational.

That tournament takes place Nov. 19 and 20 at Flathead and Glacier high schools.

Local results from the Missoula tournament are as follows:

• Varsity Policy Debate — 2. Mariah Gladstone and Levi Proctor, Glacier; 6. Ashley Berger and Brandon Simpson, Glacier

• Novice Policy Debate — 2. Mary Gross and Allison Foust, Columbia Falls; 5. Cameron Brown and Vince Seamenza, Flathead; 6. Becky Griffith and Mason Gedlaman, Columbia Falls; 7. Elise Byle and Ashlee Buller, Glacier; 8. Devon Zander and Jaclyn Rensel, Glacier

• Varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate — 1. Sam Watson, Flathead; 4. Emily Stoick, Flathead; 5. Zac Parker, Flathead

• Novice Lincoln-Douglas Debate — 2. Lukas Dregne, Glacier; 3. Kelly Hendrix, Flathead; 4. Hunter Oehrtman, Glacier

• Public Forum Debate — 6. Connell Rogers and Danielle Bowen, Flathead; 7. Tucker Connell and Logan Hendrix, Glacier

• Legislative Debate — 2. Reece Erickson, Glacier; 3. Hunter Garbacz, Glacier; 4. Barrie Sugarman, Flathead; 5. Jasmine Carlson, Flathead; 8. Ian Hollander, Glacier

• Extemporaneous Speaking — 1. Hannah Anderson, Flathead; 6. Josh Taira, Glacier

• Impromptu Speaking — 1. Hannah Anderson, Flathead; 2. Elena Musz, Flathead; 6. Quinn Maroney, Glacier; 8. Josh Taira, Glacier

• Duo Interpretation — 6. Tanner Maroney and Clayton McDougall, Glacier

• Humorous Oral Interpretation — 1. Jesse Francis, Flathead; 4. Draylen Askvig, Glacier; 5. Natalie Griffin, Flathead; 6. Brittanie Dull, Glacier

• Serious Oral Interpretation — 1. Bri Boozel, Flathead; 2. Caroline Houser, Glacier; 4. Accacia Gardener, Flathead; 6. Kat Champion, Glacier

• Memorized Public Address — 1. Tierney Strandberg, Flathead; 2. Accacia Gardener, Flathead; 3. Caroline Houser, Glacier; 4. Brandon Books, Glacier; 5. Megan Larson; 8. Stephanie Christensen, Columbia Falls

• Original Oratory — 2. Quinn Maroney, Glacier; 3. Tierney Strandberg, Flathead; 4. Stephanie Christensen, Columbia Falls; 8. Allison Woodruff, Glacier

• Expository Speaking — 1. Toni Braig, Glacier; 5. Tessa King, Glacier; 6. Sonya Brosten, Glacier; 7. Andy Walling, Glacier