Top Three Class A Teams Continue to battle heading into state tournament.

Polson, MT – January 23, 2021 –

The Montana Western A Divisional Tournament came down to the final ballots before a winner could be determined this past weekend. After the final ballots were submitted and the results tallied the score had Whitefish in first with 156 points. Just two points ahead of Columbia Fall’s 154 points. Frenchtown took third with 137 points. Frenchtown had taken first at the prior tournament.

Columbia Falls Head Coach Blake Ladenburg said, “these results show how tight it is. A two-point gap is one more competitor making it to semi-finals, or an entry taking third instead of fourth. When the gap gets this close it really comes down to the last placings, and any one thing happening different can change the result.” This is a familiar place for both Columbia Falls and Whitefish, who had a similar result at the 2018-2019 State Tournament, when the result ended in a 3-point gap between the two teams. Throw in a talented and decorated Frenchtown team, and the State Tournament will be sure to come down to the wire.

Ladenburg is confident in where his team is at heading in to the final tournament, “We have taken second for the past two weekends, and have been on an upward trend each week. We know where we can still make gains and will be working hard this week to make sure that happens.” The Wildcats will be attempting to build off a strong foundation they laid at Divisionals where they claimed the top spot in both Policy and Lincoln Douglas Debate, as well as Original Oratory, while also scoring points in each and every event across the board.

The State A Tournament is being hosted virtually by Sidney, and takes place this Thursday-Saturday. Some judging slots for State still need to be filled. If you are interested in judging please email b_ladenburg@cfmtschools.net.

Individual Results:

Memorized Public Address

3rd Lillian McDonald

4th Julia Sowerwine

8th Taylor Stephens

Informative Speaking

3rd Taylor Stephens

Original Oratory

1st Griffin Conger

2nd Julia Sowerwine

8th Paige Moriarty

Impromptu

5th Paige Moriarty

6th Chloe Coberley

Extemp

5th Aiden Judge

Dramatic Interp

2nd Griffin Conger

3rd Chloe Coberley

Humorous Interp

2nd Ruby Davis

6th Zack Tillman

Policy Debate

1st Emma Stephens and Tre Finley

3rd Eleanor Hollingsworth and Finley Sundberg

Public Forum Debate

6th Brayden Crawford and Aiden Rohn

Lincoln Douglas Debate

1st Eddie Chisholm

Sweeps (team score):

1st Whitefish– 156

2nd Columbia Falls – 154

3rd Frenchtown– 137

4th Ronan – 48