Host of Bulldogs take top honors at home speech meet

The Whitefish speech and debate team had a strong showing at their home invitational on Saturday, finishing second overall.

Whitefish had an impressive handful of champions in individual events. Lucy Schindler (dramatic interpretation), Anna Cook (original oratory), Lilly Buts (Lincoln-Douglas debate), Abigail Bowden (extemporaneous) and Zach Ade and Ian Caltabiano (policy debate) all took first in their respective events.

Columbia Falls edged out the Dogs with a nine-point lead to take first overall.

Head coach Sara Mueller said hosting the tournament was a good experience for her team.

“As the host school, Whitefish students were largely responsible for supporting each other throughout the week leading up to the tournament, as coaches were involved with tournament preparation. This was an excellent opportunity to practice our goal of connecting as a team, and I believe the effort paid off,” she said.

Whitefish will compete next in Kalispell on Friday and Saturday, starting at 8 a.m.

Individual results:

Memorized public address — 8. Aidan Reid

Dramatic interpretation — 1. Lucy Schindler; 2. Naya Brigette

Informative — 2. Elizabeth Campbell; 3. Brendan Gibson; 7. Regan Tintzman

Extemporaneous — 1. Abigail Bowden; 8. Grayson Butler

Humorous interpretation — 4. Danika Tintzman; 6. Jasmine Reese; 8. Gillian Broughton

Original Oratory — 1. Anna Cook; 7. Bethany Barnes; 8. Josephine Brown

Lincoln-Douglas debate — 1. Lilly Buts; 5. Ella Van Vlack

Policy debate — 1. Ian Caltabiano and Zach Ade; 5. Douglas Mercer and Ian Lacey

Public forum debate — 3. Hayden Brandt and Mary Hooks; 8. Ammann Koch-Ford and Casey Schneider

Sweepstakes — Class A. 1. Columbia Falls (165), 2. Whitefish (156), 3. Frenchtown (41)