Speech gears up for state with another silver

Another week, another silver finish for the speech and debate team.

This time Whitefish took second at the Polson Invitational on Saturday, where they finished behind Columbia Falls and ahead of Frenchtown — a recurring theme for the season.

The Bulldogs had four first-place wins by three competitors during the meet.

Abigail Bowden excelled in both extemporaneous and impromptu, winning both events, while Bethany Barnes won informative speaking.

Lucy Schindler took the team’s fourth gold in dramatic interpretation.

Head coach Sara Mueller said her team is ready for the big competition coming up.

“To have another four champions and two events with a one-two finish, Whitefish is looking ready for the next two weeks of divisional and state competition,” Mueller said. “I know the kids are driven to qualify as many as possible to the state tournament this year. They are supporting each other, reaching out to me to help prepare for state, and focused on the success of the team as a whole.”

“This is a special group of students who have some great potential in competition and beyond.”

Danika Tintzman took second in impromptu and fourth in memorized public address, while Elizabeth Campbell took fourth in Lincoln-Douglas debate.

Gabby Pickert took second in informative.

Individual results:

Policy debate: 8. Gavin Carmichael and McKenna Ferril

Public forum debate: 7. Zoe Tremper and Addie Blackaby

Lincoln-Douglas debate: 4. Elizabeth Campbell, 7. Luca Welle

Extemporaneous: 1. Abigail Bowden, 7. Bethany Barnes

Impromptu: 1. Abigail Bowden, 2. Danika Tintzman, 6. Adrienne Healy

Original oratory: 4. Aidan Reid, 5. Adrienne Healy, 6. Eden Scrafford

Memorized public address: 4. Danika Tintzman

Informative: 1. Bethany Barnes, 2. Gabby Pickert

Humorous interpretation: 5. Logan Mercer, 6. Eden Scrafford

Dramatic interpretation: 1. Lucy Schindler, 5. Gabby Pickert

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