Entire Polson team going to state
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News from Polson High School
HAMILTON — The team is headed to state, and this time, it’s not about athletics.
The Polson High School Speech and Debate team finished in third place in Speech Sweeps at the Montana Class A Western Division Speech, Debate, and Drama Tournament in Hamilton on Saturday, Jan. 23.
All 12 of the Polson team members qualified for the Montana Class A Speech, Debate, and Drama Tournament that will be held on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 29-30, at Belgrade High School.
“I honestly have never been prouder of a speech and debate team. We have had a lot of kids quit the team this season, but the 12 that stayed all earned points for the team and were able to help us earn a third-place trophy,” said Coach Jon Petersen. “And better yet, they all qualified for the state tournament in Belgrade. Our squad is much smaller than several other teams, so a third-place finish is quite an accomplishment.”
Kenyon Cairns took first place in the Lincoln-Douglas Debate, despite a confusing error made regarding Kenyon’s ability to advance into his next round — the second time this happened this season, according to Petersen.
“This was really unfortunate, because we had to stop the finals round of Lincoln-Douglas, and replace another competitor with Kenyon, who had won his semi-final round with a 3-0 score,” Petersen said. “I feel terrible for the student that had to be replaced. But it is a credit to Kenyon’s cool demeanor that he was able to deal with the confusion and win his final debate.”
Mollie Lemm and Katelyn Toland took silver in Public Forum Debate while Annabelle Smith and Sophia Speckert earned bronze in Policy Debate.
“The hard work and dedication are really paying off for our public forum and policy debate teams,” Debate Coach Kyle Dunn said. “I’m very proud of their performances. They’ve earned every win with honesty and integrity … (and) are a testament to the quality of students at PHS.”
Alex Salois, who took fifth place in Memorized Public Address and Nathan DePoe, sixth-place finisher in Humorous Interpretation, “just keep improving, and they showed it by earning their medals,” Coach Petersen said. “But I think all of the other kids can make it to finals at state if we focus this week on getting better as well.”
Additional State qualifiers include Jordan Croft, Humorous Interpretation; Geneva des Lions, Impromptu Speaking; Makauly Morrison, Extemporaneous Speaking; Zachary Evertz, Expository Speaking; and Asher Dalbey, Lincoln-Douglas Debate.
At divisionals, Polson competed against eight other Class A Western Division teams including Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Frenchtown, Stevensville, Corvallis, Hamilton, Beaverhead and Butte Central.
This was the first year in a new, two-division format for determining qualification for the state meet (Western and Eastern Divisions). Previously, four separate divisional tournaments were held: Northwest, Southwest, Central and Eastern.
Up to 24 competitors can compete in each event at the state meet.
