Whitefish speech third in Laurel-hosted virtual competition

The Whitefish High School speech and debate team improved on their previous week’s result, earning third place Saturday during a virtual meet hosted by Laurel.

“After getting some kinks out in the online format, I was proud of the team’s ability to rally around new performers and events,” said Whitefish speech and debate head coach Sara Mueller.

Columbia Falls earned first and Frenchtown second in sweepstakes points during the meet.

Whitefish was once again led by Abigail Bowden with two second place finishes in extemporaneous speaking and impromptu speaking. Grayson Butler placed third also in extemporaneous speaking and Lucy Schindler was third in dramatic interpretation.

Mueller expressed though that she was most impressed with a newcomer, Marina Nugent, who placed at her first tournament by finishing eighth in dramatic interpretation.

“Rookie member Marina Nugent placed at her first tournament in dramatic interpretation, typically one of the larger and more competitive events,” she said. “It was inspiring to see the rest of the team being so encouraging and also motivated by each other’s successes. This bodes well for an overall rest of the season.”

Whitefish speech and debate will compete again on Saturday, Dec. 19 for the virtual invitational hosted by Havre.

Individual results

Policy debate: 4. Bethany Barnes and Emma Treiweiler

Public forum debate: 4. Stacia Tremper and Sophie Tabor

Extemporaneous speaking: 2. Abigail Bowden, 3. Grayson Butler

Impromptu speaking: 2. Abigail Bowden, 8. Paetra Cooke

Original oratory: 8. Paetra Cooke

Dramatic interpretation: 3. Lucy Schindler, 8. Marina Nugent