January 29, 2020 at 9:06 am | By Chris Peterson

The Columbia Falls speech and debate team poses with the divisional trophy. Front row, from left is Siri Erickson, Sheridan Skerritt, Eddie Chisholm, Shyane Williams, Taylor Stephens, Calie Johnson, Anna Pickard; second row, Ava Foley, Griffin Conger, Emma Stephens, Brayden Crawford, Finley Sundberg, Maggie McKeon; third row, Suzanna Rosalez, Laney Conger, Julia Sowerwine, Chloe Coberley, Raphe Salmon, Isaac Adams; fourth row, Aiden Judge, Damon Morris, Jesse Rusche, Ave McDonald, Konnor Heindl, Aiden Rohn, Sam Lovering. Not pictured: Trey Finley

The Columbia Falls speech and debate team will look to take its 15th straight state title this weekend. While they won the Western A divisional crown last weekend, they know they still have a lot of work to do.

The state tournament is in Whitefish and the Wildcats haven’t won there in four years and the last time they lost a state tourney it was in Whitefish.

This year’s squad has plenty of confidence. They haven’t lost a meet yet. They credit, at least in part, a simple team rule: no caffeine and no sugar on the days of competition.

It really works, they note.

“Every year is a big deal,” said senior Suzanna Rosalez. “We all want to go out with a bang.”

The Cats are led by a core of seniors, including Isaac Adams, Maggie McKeon, Shyane Williams, Anna Pickard, Sam Lovering, Rosalez and a host of talented classmates.

At divisionals, Adams took first in dramatic interpretation and second to classmate Griffin Conger in humorous interpretation.

So what does Adams plan to be after high school?

“An accountant,” he says with a smile. “I wish it was a joke, but (accounting) is actually interesting.”

McKeon’s event — extemporaneous speech — is particularly challenging. Competitors are given a question on current events, then have just 30 minutes to prepare a 5 to 7 minute speech on it.

She took first at divisionals and has been on the podium several times this year. The event could prove valuable in her future career — she hopes to be an ambassador someday.

“We hope the long hours will pay off this upcoming weekend. All of us, competitors and coaches, are grinding to the finish and hoping that our hard work pays off,” Williams said.

The Wildcats beat the Bulldogs in the divisional tourney in Stevensville 213-161 and qualified 29 competitors for state. Stevi took third with 125 points.

Competition starts 10 a.m. Friday.

Here’s the individual results:

Policy Debate

1st – Shyane Williams and Emma Stephens

3rd – Finley Sundberg and Ava Foley

4th – Tre Finley and Calie Johnson

Public Forum Debate

6th – Lara Erickson and Laney Conger

7th – Jesse Rusche and Damon Morris

Lincoln Douglas Debate

3rd – Raphe Salmon

8th – Eddie Chisholm

Humorous Interpretation

1st – Griffin Conger

2nd – Isaac Adams

Dramatic Interpretation

1st – Isaac Adams

3rd – Griffin Conger

Original Oratory

2nd – Julia Sowerwine

6th – Sheridan Skerritt

Memorized Public Address

3rd – Suzanna Rosalez

4th – Julia Sowerwine

5th – Ave McDonald

Informative Speaking

3rd – Anna Pickard

7th – Aiden Judge

Impromptu

5th – Chloe Coberley

8th – Sam Lovering

Extemporaneous

1st – Maggie McKeon

3rd – Sam Lovering