Speech gets silver in Polson

The Whitefish speech and debate team found their groove at Polson over the weekend.

The team took second in sweepstakes points, ahead of the hosting Pirates but behind Columbia Falls.

Aidan Reid led the team with a first-place finish in original oratory.

Elizabeth Campbell and Bethany Barnes took second and third respectively in informative, while Grace Benkelman took second in memorized public address.

Logan Mercer also took second in humorous interpretation and the duo of Abby Lowry and Ivan Cline took third in policy debate.

This week Whitefish will host the Western A divisional tournament.

Head coach Sara Mueller said she saw obvious improvements across the board in Polson, placing five debate teams in the top eight.

“We’re excited to see how competition will shake out over the next two weeks,” she said.

Divisionals will start at 8 a.m. at Whitefish High School on Saturday

Individual results

Policy debate: 3. Abby Lowry and Ivan Cline

Public Forum debate: 5. Mary Hooks and Andrew Brosek, 6. Stacia Tremper and Sophie Tabor, 7. Sydney Garcia and Gavin Carmichael

Lincoln-Douglas debate: 7. Lilly Butts

Impromptu: 4. Regan Tintzman

Extemporaneous: 4. Abigail Bowden, 8. Grayson Butler

Humorous interpretation: 3. Logan Mercer, 4. Danika Tintzman, 6. Lucy Schindler

Dramatic interpretation: 4. Gabby Pickett, 7. Naya Brigette, 8. Lucy Schindler

Memorized public address: 2. Grace Benkelman

Informative: 2. Elizabeth Campbell, 3. Bethany Barnes

Original oratory: 1. Aidan Reid

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