Speech team wins fifth tournament

Columbia Falls Speech and Debate team scored 125 points to beat out Whitefish at the Libby tournament on Jan. 10.

Whitefish had 104 points. It was the fifth consecutive tournament win for the Wildcats.

Coach Michael Christensen commended the performance of several competitors, but pointed out that there are still areas for improvements.

“Individually, I’d point to Taylor (Hopkins), Hannah (Brinton) and Christina’s (Nadine-Mark) performances at Libby as encouraging signs that we are continuing to work and improve,” he said. “For Hannah, this is her second tournament victory this season, and for Taylor and Christina, something of a breakthrough for both.”

Hopkins earned first place in Impromptu Speaking, Brinton first in Humorous Oral Interpretation and Nadine-Mark earned first in expository.

Patrick Ingham earned second place in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, and Ben Donner was second in Extemporaneous.

“Patrick Ingham and Ben Donner have been two of the more consistent competitors this season in their respective events, and for a majority of the others, we actually came home somewhat disappointed with the results, but we know we can do better,” Christensen said.

The tournament ended with a disappointing result for Marissa Getts and Ariel Ramstad. The pair lost in the championship round of policy debate to Whitefish in a split decision.

“Those two young ladies have worked awfully hard to get to this point and are beginning to believe they can get there again at Divisional and State,” Christensen noted.

Later this month Columbia Falls will compete in divisionals and the state meet.

“I honestly believe Whitefish and Columbia Falls are the two teams most likely competing for the state title this year. I do think Billings Central, Laurel and perhaps Hamilton and Belgrade may have something to say about that, but for nine of the past 10 years, the Class A state championship team has called the Northwest Division its home,” said Christensen.

Columbia Falls will have to work hard to be competitive against Whitefish.

“Whitefish has excelled in two areas where we’re still struggling a bit, Policy Debate and Oratory. We excel in Impromptu, Extemporaneous and Humorous Interpretation and everything else is fairly even. Although we’ve won the past five consecutive tournaments, if we don’t continue to work hard the next two weeks, Whitefish will likely catch and pass us,” said Christensen.

Individual results are:

Taylor Hopkins - 1st place in Impromptu Speaking

Hannah Brinton - 1st place in Humorous Oral Interpretation

Christina Nadine-Mark - 1st place in Expository

Patrick Ingham - 2nd place in Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Marissa Getts and Ariel Ramstad - 2nd place in Policy Debate

Ryan Cox - 2nd place in Memorized Public Address

Ben Donner - 2nd place in Extemporaneous

Jon Riffey - 2nd place in Impromptu

Keri Potter - 3rd place in Humorous Oral Interpretation

Becky Griffith - 3rd place in Original Oratory

Jennifer Jurva - 4th place in Expository

Jesse Flickinger - 4th place in Extemporaneous

Renae Nelson - 4th place in Original Oratory

Candance Ward - 5th place in Serious Oral Interpretation

Amanda Johnson - 5th place in Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Kate Donner - 5th place in Original Oratory

Stephanie Christensen - 6th place in Memorized Public Address

Bralyn Joubert - 6th place in Impromptu

Laura Burgess and Heidi Brunz - 7th place in Policy Debate

Natalie Law - 8th place in Extemporaneous