Mazur claims third straight divisional title

Debaters Joe Mazur, Jack Hyer and Josh Schott led the Whitefish speech and debate team to a second-place finish at the Northwest Divisional Speech, Debate and Drama Tournament held in Whitefish on Saturday.

Schott, a senior, brought home the gold in Lincoln-Douglas debate, with seniors Mazur and Hyer doing the same in policy debate.

"Once again, Whitefish took first place in debate, in both policy debate and Lincoln-Douglas debate," debate coach Sandi Alessi said. "Even though Columbia Falls has so many more students and such a large speech and debate program, they can't beat Whitefish in debate."

Alessi said she was very proud of Mazur's accomplishment as two-time state champion and three-time divisional champion in policy debate.

"It's going to be so hard to lose him next year," she said.

Mazur's three straight divisional titles came each year with a different partner. This year, he teamed up with first-year debater Hyer to grab this year's title. Mazur won state titles with partners Adam Harris in 2008 and Caitlin Caltabiano in 2009.

When asked if a third state championship is possible, Mazur said, "We're working hard to make it happen. The competition is going to be tough, but not insurmountable."

Fourteen other Bulldogs placed in the divisionals, qualifying them for the state tournament in Corvallis on Jan. 29-30: Lincoln/Douglas — senior Tanner Conrad, third, and senior Derek Janni, fifth; policy debate — senior Matt Danczyk and sophomore Carl Kohnstamm, fourth; memorized public address — senior Haley Hill, third, senior John Joern, fourth, and senior Tyler Schiff, fifth; serious oral interpretation — junior Jenni Vail, fourth; original oratory — junior Julie Peterman, fourth, and freshman Christa Konopatzke, fifth; humorous oral interpretation — Patrick Meehan, fourth; impromptu — Claire Venery, fourth, Emily Blumhardt, fifth, and Brynn Ingraham, sixth; extemporaneous speaking — Joern, fourth, and Hill, fifth; expository speaking — Schiff, fifth.

Head coach Pat McLaugh-lin, Alessi and the team expressed thanks to parents and volunteers who helped judge the competition and provided food for the judges and visiting coaches.