Just two weeks before the Northern Division Tournament in Malta, the Havre High speech and debate team traveled to Conrad for a one-day contest against Northern ABC competition, garnering an impressive first-place win with 138 sweepstakes points. Browning, the only other Class A school at the tournament, earned 38 points.
For the first time this season, Havre High qualified finalists in every speech event. The winners included Michele Holden taking first in serious oral interpretation, with Heidi Nielson placing second. Andrew Edwards took first in extemporaneous speaking and Shawn McLain was a finalist in the event.
Carly Swenson took third, Kristi Burstock fourth and Katie B' Jarvis fifth in humorous oral interpretation. In memorized public address, Ross Coons took third and Jen Wilkenson placed fourth. Cherish Fehr earned a third-place finish in original oratory. Ty Lundman took second in impromptu speaking, with Jake Lorang placing as a finalist, and Tyler Dusek placed fifth in expository speaking.
The team debaters, coached by Kevin Shellenberger, swept the event with a one-two-three punch led by the varsity team of Matt Welch and Peter Spangelo, followed in second by the novice team of Lucas Hamilton and Mike Inabnit. The novice team of Matt Wagner and Andrew Dugdale placed third.
Havre's Lincoln-Douglas debate competitors, coached by Tim Leeds, were equally impressive as Angela Adams placed second and Dean Koffler took third.
While some competitor schools were drawn to another tournament in Lewistown, the Havre team looked very strong in Conrad and should approach the state qualifier with renewed confidence, head coach Peggy Fink said.
She added that the Havre High coaching staff would like to thank everyone who has volunteered time to help with the State ABC Tournament in Havre on Jan. 25 and Jan. 26.
The Havre Chamber of Commerce was very helpful in starting the drive to sign up judges, and the coaching staff hopes that anyone who hasn't yet been contacted will call the school at 265-6731 and leave a message at extension 370, she said.
The judges clinic for the state tournament is slated for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Havre High library.
