Kalispell teams finish second, third in speech meet

Both Kalispell high schools were edged by Bozeman this weekend at a Butte tournament in one of the closest events in years for Montana speech.

The Hawks scored 136 points, Glacier 129.5 and Flathead 127.5 at the Richest Hill on Earth Tournament at Butte High School.

The tournament featured all 14 AA schools who will compete at the state tournament in two weeks in Missoula.

Greg Adkins, Glacier’s head coach, said the Butte meet was historic.

“I can’t remember a tournament in 20 years that the top three teams were separated by under 10 points,” he said. “Give credit to Bozeman, they won some crucial debate rounds on Saturday. I loved how our team battled back late. We had a bunch of kids finish in the top four in their respective events plus we close out a few events which was awesome. We just need to find more balance and more depth at state.”

The three Class AA front-runners will meet one more time this season on Jan. 30-31 at Sentinel High School in Missoula. Glacier has won the past four state championships.

Butte team results:

1. Bozeman 136

2. Glacier 129.5

3. Flathead 127.5

4. Great Falls 78

5. Hellgate 45

Individual results:

Policy Debate — 3. Ben Wright and Ryker McIntire, Glacier; 5. Erick Franklund and Mitch Gilman, Glacier.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate— 5. Alaina Mothershead, Flathead.

Public Forum Debate — 6. David Schwarz and Millie Epeseth, Glacier.

Legislative — 1. Josie Jolly, Glacier; 2. Kyersten Siebenaler, Glacier; 5. Sam Clarin, Flathead; 6. Makenna Marvin, Flathead; 7. Grant Germann, Glacier.

Extemporaneous — 1. Eli Cornell, Flathead; 2. Wyatt McGillen, Flathead; 3. Sarah Ward, Flathead; 6. Dylan Crandell, Glacier; 7. Cody Bowen, Flathead.

Impromptu — 2. Sarah Ward, Flathead; 6. Grace Cady, Flathead.

Duo Interpretation — 1. Parker Kouns and Wyatt Dykhuizen, Flathead; 4. Brock Adkins and Jacob Wutke, Glacier; 7. Ben Habel and Aaron Robinson, Glacier.

Humorous Interpretation — 2. Wyatt Dykhuizen, Flathead; 4. Abby Van Allen, Glacier.

Serious Interpretation — 1. Harrison Kauffman, Glacier; 2. Jade LeGassey, Flathead; 4. Patrick Deterding, Flathead; 8. Anika Fritz, Glacier.

Memorized Public Address — 1. Harrison Kauffman, Glacier; 2. Ben Habel, Glacier; 3. Aaron Robinson, Glacier; 5. Mallorie Mason, Flathead; 7. Maddy Olson, Flathead.

Original Oratory — 3. Wyatt McGillen, Flathead; 4. Maija Hadwin, Flathead; 5. Rebecca Vance, Flathead; 6. Brock Adkins, Glacier.

Expository Speaking — 1. Anika Fritz, Glacier; 2. Steele Jochim, Flathead; 7. Michael Rutledge, Flathead; 8. Kodee Wagner, Flathead.