Young or not, speech team continues to shine

The Columbia Falls speech and debate team made its mark in Kalispell last week with 12 students in finals in speech events and 11 debaters in the top eight in the debate events.

Sophomore Baylee Brinton took first in expository speech, and junior Blake Ladenburg took first in impromptu and second in memorized public address to lead the team in the Nov. 5 match.

"It was a balanced showing which helped lead the team to a first place sweepstakes win," coach Tara Norick said. "I was so proud of this young team placing well in the midst of strong AA competition."

In debate, two freshmen novice teams closed out the finals debate, with Emerald Ogden and Erick Franklund placing first and Bailey Duke and Colter Norick placing second.

Varsity policy debate

6th - Mary Gross & Allison Foust

Novice policy debate

1st - Emerald Ogden & Erick Franklund

2nd - Bailey Duke & Colter Norick

Varstiy Lincoln-Douglas debate

5th - Wolfie Dailing

7th - Kaitlin Barnes

8th - Becky Griffith

Novice Lincoln-

Douglas debate

6th - Michael Kreider

8th - Jack Martin

Extemporaneous

2nd - Chance Morine

7th - Natalie Law

Impromptu

1st - Blake Ladenburg

2nd - Mason Gedlaman

4th - Chance Morine

Oratory

5th - Ada Brooks

6th - Meredith Stolte

8th - Natalie Law

Memorized public

address

2nd - Blake Ladenburg

Expository

1st - Baylee Brinton

8th - Alex Damon

Humorous Oral Interpretation

6th - Lexi Brunz