Flathead debater finishes 7th at nationals

Flathead High School brought home top recognition from the 2017 National Speech and Debate Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama, in June.

Flathead High School’s Noah Love finished seventh out of 256 competitors in Lincoln-Douglas Debate in his second time competing at nationals, according to Head Coach Shannon O’Donnell. Love also earned automatic qualification for next year’s tournament in Florida. O’Donnell said Love’s seventh-place finish is the school’s highest placement in a main event at nationals since 1992.

Flathead’s Tristan Phillips competed in Informative Speaking, finishing as a quarter-finalist among the top 25 out of 333 competitors.

Sophia Skwarchuk received special trophy recognizing her fourth time qualifying and competing at nationals in what O’Donnell described as a “remarkable” accomplishment.

Over the years at nationals, Skwarchuk competed in Lincoln-Douglas Debate and Extemporaneous Speaking. Last year she finished sixth in the nation in Impromptu Speaking. At the 2017 competition, Skwarchuk advanced to out-rounds.

“Sophia has had an incredible career in both speech and debate,” O’Donnell said. “It’s rare to see a student achieve such high success in multiple events. Sophia is an incredible competitor.”

Other competitors included America Mason and Emma Thompson, in Original Oratory and Impromptu.

Glacier High School brought eight qualifying competitors to nationals. Harrison Rennie and Malea Bauer made it to the ninth round in Policy Debate. The competition also marked Brock Adkins’ third time at nationals.

Other Glacier competitors included Nate and Drew Lorenc in Duo Interpretation, Tristen Lang and Riley Wilton in Congressional Debate and Izy Lyon in Lincoln-Douglas Debate.

The Kalispell Kickoff, the first tournament of the season, is set Nov. 4 and will be hosted by Flathead.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.