Speech and debate takes second place at Kalispell Kickoff

The Whitefish speech and debate team is looking sharp just two weeks into the season.

Whitefish took second in sweepstakes points last weekend at the Kalispell Kickoff, finishing behind Columbia Falls.

Bethany Barnes led the team with a first place in informative speaking, while Naya Brigette took third in dramatic interpretation.

Lilly Butts got seventh in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Abigail Bowden seventh in extemporaneous speaking and Logan Mercer sixth in humorous interpretation.

The prior week the team opened its season in Hamilton.

That time it was Elizabeth Campbell taking first in informative speaking. Bowden took second in extemporaneous speaking while Barnes took seventh.

Mercer took sixth in humorous interpretation and the team of Sophie Tabor and Gavin Carmichael took fourth in public forum debate.

Head coach Sara Mueller said the team is still small and not yet at full strength, but she’s impressed with how her students have performed so far.

The team will compete next in Columbia Falls on Nov. 17.

Kalispell Kickoff

Individual results

Lincoln-Douglas Debate: 7. Lilly Butts

Extemporaneous: 7. Abigail Bowden

Humorous interpretation: 6. Logan Mercer

Dramatic interpretation: 3. Naya Brigette

Informative: 1. Bethany Barnes

Sweepstakes: 1. Columbia Falls, 2. Whitefish, 3. Loyola

At Hamilton

Individual results

Public forum debate: 4. Sophie Tabor and Gavin Carmichael

Extemporaneous: 2. Abigail Bowden, 7. Bethany Barnes

Humorous interpretation: 6. Logan Mercer

Informative: 1. Elizabeth Campbell