Whitefish upsets rival C-Falls for divisional win
Whitefish High School Speech and Debate turned the tide on rival Columbia Falls with a first-place finish on home turf at the Class A divisionals over the weekend.
Amassing 227 overall sweepstakes points, it marked Whitefish’s first victory over Columbia Falls High Schools this season. Columbia Falls finished in second place with 170 overall points.
Aiding the team’s success were five champions and four runner-ups. Whitefish Head Coach Sara Mueller said the team was “pretty besides themselves” following the win.
“It was fully a team effort, as every entry on the team scored points toward our sweepstakes total,” Mueller said. “We look forward to taking this momentum into the state tournament next week where I am sure all teams will come ready to compete at a high level.”
The win is a boost for the Whitefish team as they prepare to once again face Columbia Falls, which defends its Class A state championship title on Friday and Saturday in Belgrade.
Following are individual results from divisionals and competitors qualifying to compete at state.
Policy Debate
1. Ian McKenzie and Maggie McKeon, Columbia Falls
3. Calie Jo Johnson and Tre Finley, Columbia Falls
4. Abby Lowry and Ivan Cline, Whitefish
6. Aidan McMahan and Dani Mayeaux, Whitefish
7. Rally Belcher and Jordan Hayes, Whitefish
10. Shyane Williams and Ava Foley, Columbia Falls
Public Forum Debate
1. Andrew Brozek and Mary Hooks, Whitefish
2. Cassidy Norick and Kelsey Wright, Columbia Falls
4. Stacia Tremper and Sophie Tabor, Whitefish
5. Emma Stephens and Griffin Conger, Columbia Falls
6. Lara Erickson and Laney Conger, Columbia Falls
12. Gavin Carmichael and Sydney Garcia, Whitefish
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
3. Raphe Salmon, Columbia Falls
6. Lilly Butts, Whitefish
10. Luca Welle, Whitefish
Extemporaneous Speaking
1. Abigail Bowden, Whitefish
4. Sam Lovering, Columbia Falls
6. Grayson Butler, Whitefish
9. Aiden Judge, Columbia Falls
11. Bethany Barnes, Whitefish
14. Konner Heindl, Columbia Falls
Impromptu Speaking
2. Regan Tintzman, Whitefish
4. Sam Lovering, Columbia Falls
5. Paige Moriarty, Columbia Falls
9. Adrienne Healy, Whitefish
Memorized Public Address
1. Grace Benkelman, Whitefish
2. Emmalee Hellen, Columbia Falls
4. Maile Vine, Whitefish
5. Haileigh Bayee, Columbia Falls
6. Suzanna Rosalez, Columbia Falls
10. Lucy Lowry, Whitefish
Original Oratory
2. Aidan Reid, Whitefish
3. Libby Goldhirsch, Whitefish
5. Paige Moriarty, Columbia Falls
6. Haileigh Bayee, Columbia Falls
7. Rachel Bowland, Whitefish
13. Suzanna Rosalez, Columbia Falls
Informative Speaking
1. Elizabeth Campbell, Whitefish
2. Bethany Barnes, Whitefish
3. Regan Tintzman, Whitefish
6. Anna Pickard, Columbia Falls
9. Aiden Judge, Columbia Falls
11. Katherine MacPherson, Columbia Falls
Humorous Interpretation
1. Danika Tintzman, Whitefish
5. Logan Mercer, Whitefish
6. Ave’ McDonald, Columbia Falls
7. Lucy Shindler, Whitefish
9. Isaac Adams, Columbia Falls
Dramatic Interpretation
3. Emmalee Hellen, Columbia Falls
2. Naya Brigette, Whitefish
7. Lucy Schindler, Whitefish
9. Gabby Pickert, Whitefish
10. Isaac Adams, Columbia Falls
14. Ave’ McDonald, Columbia Falls