Speech gets silver in Columbia Falls

The Whitefish speech and debate team took second overall at a competitive tournament in Columbia Falls last weekend.

Columbia Falls took first overall in sweepstakes points, with Frenchtown coming in third.

Bethany Barnes led the way for the team with a first place in informative speaking. Elizabeth Campbell finished just behind at second.

Lucy Schnidler took first in dramatic interpretation and fourth in humorous interpretation.

Abigail Bowden took second in extemporaneous speaking and Barnes also took third.

Head coach Sara Mueller said she’s happy with the way her students are coming along early in the season.

“We are really starting to find our groove across all events,” she said.

The team will compete in Stevensville on Dec. 1, following Thanksgiving break.

Individual results

At Columbia Falls

Extemporaneous: 2. Abigail Bowden, 3. Bethany Barnes

Humorous interpretation: 4. Lucy Schindler, 5. Rally Belcher

Informative: 1. Bethany Barnes, 2. Elizabeth Campbell

Dramatic interpretation: 1. Lucy Schindler, 6. Naya Brigette

Lincoln-Douglas Debate: 6. Lilly Butts

Public forum debate: 7. Mary Hooks and Ian Lacey

Policy debate: 6. Dani Mayeaux and Aidan McMahan

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