Whitefish, C-Falls ready to battle for Class A top spot

Reigning Class A state speech and debate champion Columbia Falls High School is aiming for a 15th consecutive win this season as it competes against state runner-up Whitefish High School.

Those standings came out of an unusual turn of events at last season’s state tournament, which ended in a tiebreaker and ultimately resulted in Columbia Falls claiming its14th consecutive state title after Whitefish had to give up its first-place standing due to a clerical error. The difference between first and second was a mere three points.

The close call last season is not lost on Columbia Falls.

“We are going to be keeping close tabs on Whitefish, Laurel, and Frenchtown. Whitefish was our toughest competition last season, and is returning many of their top competitors,” Columbia Falls Assistant Coach Blake Ladenburg said. “Laurel was the top seed from the east side of the state last season, and should be strong again this year. Frenchtown has been growing their team for the last several years, and should be a team to keep our eye on all season.”

Going into this season, Ladenburg said the Columbia Falls team is young, but promising.

“We will need to work hard all season to remain competitive with strong teams within our division and across the state,” Ladenburg said, adding, “We have strong talent across the board, and we are going to need to be a well-rounded team all season to stay competitive.”

The team will draw strength from its seasoned competitors. Maggie McKeon, who is the state champion in Policy Debate, has switched things up after her partner graduated and will compete in Extemporaneous Speaking and Impromptu Speaking. Paige Moriarty, who was the 2018 state champion Original Oratory, will continue competing in the event in addition to Impromptu Speaking.

Other top competitors to watch this season include: Issac Adams, in Humorous and Dramatic Interpretation; Sam Lovering in Extemporaneous Speaking and Impromptu Speaking; Shyane Williams, senior competitor in Policy Debate; and Laney Conger in Public Forum Debate.

Ladenburg said newcomer Julia Sowerwine will also be one to watch in Memorized Public Address.

With a championship nearly within its grasp, Whitefish High School is gunning for a win.

“Whitefish is motivated and looking for a strong season. We project being in the mix for a championship with perennial favorite, Columbia Falls,” Whitefish Head Coach Sara Mueller said, later noting, “We also recognize that we are an older team this year and should be focusing on recruiting that will build team legacy.”

This season, two veterans will defend their state championship titles ­— Grace Benkelman in Memorized Public Address and Bethany Barns in Informative Speaking. Also bringing experience to the team is Logan Mercer in Humorous Interpretation and Abigail Bowden in Extemporaneous Speaking and Impromptu Speaking. Mueller said to also expect strong performances from newcomer Eden Scrafford in Humorous Interpretation.

“The strongest squad at the moment appears to be Original Oratory. I have three very capable and experienced seniors and previous year state finalists ready to go — Elizabeth Campbell, Libby Goldhirsch and Aidan Reid — and memorized events are often a Whitefish staple. Also, our interps have been really coming on in the last few years and look to be very talented. However, I am looking at a roster that appears deep in all areas,” Mueller said.

In Class B, Bigfork High School is also ready to talk its way to the top.

“We have a good-sized team, but more than half are totally new to speech. We hope to have a good season of growth, keep as many kids on the team as possible and look toward competing at state, which we are hosting,” Bigfork Assistant Coach Charlie Appleby said.

He anticipates the team will do well in short prep events such as Impromptu and Extemporaneous Speaking, in addition to memorized events such as Memorized Public Address, Original Oratory and Informative Speaking.

Top competitors to watch are: Elizabeth Hyde in Original Oratory; Maya Hartig in Memorized Public Address; Ben Keller in Impromptu Speaking and Elyse Pendlay and Anton Young in Policy Debate in addition to newcomer Lily Peterson in Informative Speaking.

In going against the team’s biggest competition, Loyola with Three Forks and Great Falls Central not far behind, Appleby said the goal is to have see Bigfork competitors announced as state champions on home turf.

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