Speech and debate back in action at Corvallis Invite

The Whitefish Bulldog speech and debate team competed in Corvallis on Friday and Saturday after a couple weeks off for winter break.

The two-day competition was a tough test for Whitefish, but the Bulldogs finished second to Columbia Falls in sweepstakes; Corvallis was third.

“I was excited to watch the students' ability to persist through two days of competition in preparation for the state tournament,” said coach Sara Mueller. “The family atmosphere of the team was in full display as they supported each other through the inevitable highs and lows of so many rounds. The camaraderie on this team is what I am most proud of.”

Leading Whitefish was the team of Addie Blackaby and Zoe Tremper who placed fourth in the public forum debate; Rachel Rowles and Jayce McDonald placed eighth in the same category.

In policy debate, the team of Alex Losee and Vana Fortune came in seventh.

In informative, Scarlet Burke took eighth place and in original oratory, Lauren Rossi also came in eighth place.

The team of Cole Pickert and Jackson Schindler took eighth in duo interpretation.

The team will host the Whitefish Invite on Saturday, Jan. 14 beginning at 8 a.m. That is the last competition before divisionals the following week and the state tournament on Jan. 27-28.