Whitefish Speech comes in fourth in opening virtual competition

Whitefish High School’s Abigail Bowden led the speech and debate team by earning two first place victories in the opening competition of the season on Saturday.

In the Whitefish Virtual Invitational, Bowden was the champion in the extemporaneous and impromptu categories. In policy debate, the team of Bethany Barnes and Emma Trieweiler placed third and in the Lincoln-Douglas debate Danika Tintzman placed second for Whitefish.

“I was so proud of the team's willingness to overcome challenges as we held the first virtual tournament,” Whitefish speech and debate coach Sara Mueller said. “The team was flexible, self-motivated, and worked together to secure a fourth place finish overall. I’m looking forward to a unique, but exciting and successful season.”

In sweepstakes points Frenchtown came in first, followed by Columbia Falls in second and Laurel in third.

Next Whitefish will compete in the Laurel Virtual Invitational Saturday, Dec. 12.

Individual results:

Extemporaneous- 1. Abigail Bowden

Impromptu- 1. Abigail Bowden, 5. Paetra Cooke

Dramatic Interpretation- 6. Gabby Pickert

Public Forum Debate- 6. Stacia Tremper and Sophie Tabor, 8. Zoe Tremper and Addie Blackaby

Policy Debate- 3. Bethany Barnes and Emma Trieweiler, 5. Gavin Carmichael and McKenna Ferril

Lincoln-Douglas Debate- 2. Danika Tintzman, 6. Luca Welle