Speakers take second at Flathead Invite
The Columbia Falls speech and debate team got a taste of whom they’ll need to beat in the postseason this year. The Wildcats lost to Hamilton, 65-55 at the Kalispell Kick-Off Classic at Flathead High School on Nov.1.
The competition pools individual speakers from all classes together, but the final team scores are separated by classes. In policy debate, Annabel Conger and Colin Norick placed third. Colter Norick was fourth in Lincoln-Douglas debate.
Caitlyn Long was fourth in novice Lincoln-Douglas debate. Cody Phillips took fourth in extemporaneous speaking, while Casey Shea was fourth in impromptu speaking and Bailey Duke was eighth in memorized public address.
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Speech team looks to nab another state title
The Columbia Falls speech and debate team will look to capture a 10th consecutive Class A state title this season. The team hosts this year’s state meet Jan. 30-31.
This year’s squad has several veterans, including seniors Colter Norick, Henry Chisholm, Meredith Stolte, Monique Schoech, Bailey Duke, Breanna Friar and Cole Brown. The goal this season is pretty simple, coach Tara Norick said.
“We’d like to be able to wrap up 10 years of success,” Norick said.
Stolte and Norick won the policy debate state title last year, but they won’t compete together this season as they’re pursuing other events.
“It’s a rebuilding year in debate for sure,” Norick said.
But how much rebuilding remains to be seen. Norick teamed up with Annabel Conger in Polson to win a title in the first meet of the season in policy debate.
Tougher competition is expected this season. Hamilton, Belgrade and Billings Central are all expected to give the Wildcats a run for the money, and many other teams have new coaches.
This year’s speech and debate team has 47 members, Norick said. That’s down from 60 last season.
Norick is assisted by Kim Gange and Leslie DiMaio. The three women have coached the squad together for four years. This is Norick’s fifth year as head coach and her 10th season with the program.
The Columbia Falls speech and debate program is far and away the most successful in the school, with 16 state titles.