Whitefish speech and debate primed to win

Upperclassmen are small in numbers but forceful in leadership for the Whitefish speech and debate team this year.  

In 2021, the Whitefish team that won state was memorably “phenomenal,” in Whitefish Coach Sara Mueller’s words. But that 2021 team had 14 seniors. This year, there are only four.  

“You can’t always compare teams because they’re different in attitudes and personalities. But this team is young and they’re starting to shape up. I’ve known for the last year or so that this is a special team,” Mueller said.  

The variety of speech and debate events that students compete in keeps every tournament interesting.  

There are memorized events with pre-written speeches on topics of choice, as well as impromptu events, such as acting out a character in a play.  

Whitefish is particularly strong in debate events.  “We’re very strong on policy, public forum and Lincoln-Douglas, and we’re super excited to keep that going because that’s a huge portion of points,” Mueller said. 

In addition to memorized events, debaters can take on two types of short-prep events. 

They either have three minutes from when they get a prompt, such as a quote or editorial cartoon, to prepare a case. Or they are given 30 minutes to make an argument based off current events.  

“It’s impressive in what they’re able to do in such a short time. And they can do up to five of those in a day,” Mueller said.  

Despite competing as individuals, each tournament takes on a strategic team approach.  

“It’s a numbers game. We can enter up to three people per event, and their individual placings determine the team scores,” Mueller said.  

That team-aspect is what ramps up rivalries. 

At the tournament in Ronan this weekend, the Whitefish team beat Columbia Falls for the first time since the state championship in 2021.  

“Our short-prep squad finaled three at this tournament, including an incredible freshman. And we won two of the memorized events,” Mueller said. 

After an already momentous day, however, things took a turn for the worse when the bus that transported Whitefish students to Ronan caught fire in the parking lot.  

Fortunately, the tournament had concluded, and all students were safely inside for an awards ceremony. The bus driver suffered minor injuries.  

Mueller said that the comradery of other teams – both in competition and in times of distress – was uplifting.  

“There were about 16 high schools at the tournament, all offering rides home by splitting the team up. But what was great was that we were able to ride home together,” Mueller said.  

After the incident, “we’ve got some rebuilding to do, but they’re feisty and hard-working,” Mueller said. 

The team is already looking ahead to the next tournament in Kalispell Dec. 13-14.  

“We compete in everything alike with our AA competitors. And we’re primed to win,” Mueller said. 

Ronan tournament results:  

Policy Debate: 2. Jake Dunker and Bjorn Bungener, 3. Cohen Gates and Charlotte Perkins 

Public Forum Debate: 5. Brynn McDonald and Solvei Gunderson, 8. Avery McPherson and Shailey Green  

Extemporaneous: 2. David Losee, 3. Avery Sorensen, 6. Mason Loeffler 

Impromptu: 1. Iona Sarraille, 2. Astir Pulsifer 

Duo Interpretation: 2. Scarlet Burke and Unity Loveless 

Dramatic Interpretation: 5. Aiden Cubbage 

Program Oral Interp: 2. Iona Sarraille  

Informative: 2. Scarlet Burke 

Memorized Public Address: 1. Unity Loveless 

Original Oratory: 1. Astir Pulsifer, 6. Lizzy Holien, 8. David Losee 

Sweepstakes: 1. Whitefish (150), 2. Columbia Falls, 3. Frenchtown