Local teams looks at season ahead

Class A speech and debate state champion Columbia Falls High School is starting the season with 42 members who are looking to continue the dynasty of consecutive state titles.

This year will mark No. 13 if the team is successful.

“We have a young team with two-thirds of our members being underclassmen, so we will be gaining experience as the season moves forward,” said Columbia Falls Head Coach Tara Norick.

The team’s performance is sure to be bolstered by a slew of returning state champions: Willie Baltz, Impromptu Speaking; Ava Chisholm, Public Forum Debate; Jacob Hohman, Dramatic Interpretation; Delaney Conger and Maggie McKeon, Public Forum Debate; Ian McKenzie and Danielle Schwalk, Policy Debate; Gabby Merrell, Lincoln-Douglas Debate; Cassidy Norick and Kelsey Wright, Public Forum Debate; Lizzy Olsen, Dramatic Interpretation; Kennedy Payne, Informative Speaking; Danielle Rosenbaum, Informative Speaking; and Shyane Williams, Policy Debate.

Chisholm is also a returning national qualifier in addition to Hohman who was an alternate.

While Columbia Falls dominates in debate, Tara Norick said the team endeavors to balance that performance across all events.

“We strive for breadth across all events and depth in each event. Our goal is have a competitor place in each event across speech and debate. This is also our strength, balance between speech and debate and a cohesive group supporting each other,” Norick said.

When asked, she narrowed down the team to 10 individuals or duos to watch this season if you get the chance: Chisholm, Humorous Oral Interpretation, Impromptu Speaking and Program Oral Interpretation; Hohman, Dramatic Interpretation and Informative Speaking; Olsen, Dramatic Interpretation; Jordyn King, Dramatic Interpretation and Memorized Public Address; Rosenbaum, Original Oratory; Cassidy Norick and Wright, Public Forum Debate; Laney Conger and Maggie McKeon, Public Forum Debate; Williams and Schwalk, Policy Debate; Ella Hutcheson and Ian McKenzie, Policy Debate; and Merrell, Lincoln-Douglas Debate.

Newcomers on the team are also showing promise, according to Norick.

“We have a strong group of freshman bringing a fresh look to the team,” she said.

At the first tournament of the season the following freshman placed: Chloe Coberley, Lara Erickson, Emmalee Hellen, Ella Hutcheson, Ave’ McDonald, Paige Moriarty and Jesse Rusche.

Bringing the competition is Whitefish High School speech and debate.

“Whitefish is the strongest competition in the west and we face them every week. They have a significant number of strong individuals and are always challenging us to improve,” Norick said, noting that in the east, Laurel has a number of returning state competitors on its team. “We will not see their team in competition until the state tournament in Corvallis in January.”

Whitefish Head Coach Sara Mueller would add Ronan to the mix of Class A competition.

“Columbia Falls is always well-coached and strong, but we cannot forget that Ronan is back in Class A. They are looking very good this year,” Mueller said.

Fifty-one students are competing on the Whitefish team and Mueller said the mix of new competitors and veterans are working hard. She said the goal this season is to unify as a team and see progress at tournaments.

While all the state champions have graduated, Mueller said this season’s top competitors to watch are Ian Caltabiano and Zach Ade, Policy Debate; Jasmine Reese, Humorous Oral Interpretation; and Naya Brigette in Dramatic Interpretation. Rookies expected to talk their way to the top are: Abigail Bowden, Extemporaneous Speaking and Impromptu Speaking; Logan Mercer, Humorous Oral Interpretation; Josie Johnson, Policy Debate; and Hayden Brandt, Public Forum Debate.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.