Columbia Falls aiming for another speech title

In Class A speech and debate, reigning champion Columbia Falls High School is aiming for a 12th consecutive win this season as it competes against state runner-up Whitefish High School.

Columbia Falls head coach Tara Norick is working with a large team, 51 total students, including 15 seniors and 19 new competitors. The team started the season strong with a first-place win at the season-opening tournament in Stevensville last weekend.

“In debate our top competitors are Colin Norick and Annabel Conger whose work effort and dedication to the team has made them formidable debaters for four years,” Tara Norick said. “In speech, we have top competitors in almost every event. Our seniors are strong seasoned returning competitors. Their strength is in their work ethic and the supportive nature of our team.”

The team has a host of returners with winning histories to uphold including national qualifiers: Ava Chisholm, who was also sate champion in humorous oral interpretation and state second-place finisher in impromptu speaking; and Chloe Foster, state champion in original oratory and state second-place finisher in memorized public address. Dramatic interpretation state champion and humorous oral interpretation third-place state finisher, Jerelyn Jones, is also back for another season.

Other returning competitors that placed in the top three at state are Colin Norick and Conger, policy debate and Anna Nicosia and Mary Ward, public forum debate.

“Top performers will provide the impact this season as we build newcomers,” Tara Norick said.

Other competitors to watch are Joey Chester in memorized public address and Danny Morgan in extemporaneous and rising stars Jacob Hohman, dramatic interpretation; Alex Garate, extemporaneous speaking and impromptu speaking; and Cassidy Norick and Kelsey Wright, public forum debate.

When it comes to the competition, Tara Norick said Whitefish appears to have a strong team this year, and in the east, the Bitterroot Valley and Laurel.

“We have our work cut out for us this year,” Tara Norick said. “We are focused on being a cohesive supportive group and performing our best as a team with points at state in every event.”

WHITEFISH HIGH School captured third at its first tournament in Stevensville.

Whitefish assistant coach Brianna Walling said this year’s team is one of the largest in recent years with 25 competitors and an expectation to have 35 by divisionals.

“We have a younger group of kids that have a lot of potential to do well throughout the season,” Walling said.

The Whitefish team has 16 returning competitors to look to for experience including state second-place finisher in expository speaking, Teigan Tremper and third-place finisher in memorized public address, Zach Ade.

Other competitors to watch, who had a good showing at the first tournament of the season last week include: Zach Kasselder and Ian Catalbiano in policy debate and Seth Carmichael and Zoe Dugan in public forum debate.

“We’re excited to see the potential in our new students, and watch how our returning students will perform,” Walling said, later adding,

“A big goal for the team is to help the newcomers feel like part of the team and feel comfortable with their pieces. We hope to have a good showing at state again this year.”

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.