The competition was fierce between Columbia Falls and Whitefish speech and debate teams over the weekend with three points separating first and second place. 

Columbia Falls clinched the win with 223 points overall. Whitefish High School took second place with 220 points. Hamilton came in third with 36 points. 

Columbia Falls head coach Dawn Roe thanked Whitefish head coach Sara Mueller for putting together the tournament on short notice, after last minute changes left the Western Division Class A schools without a weekend tournament to compete in.  

“The week we host is always a challenging week for teams. Coaches are much less available. However, in some ways, it is our favorite week as our team comes together in a unique way, helping each other in practice, providing feedback and supporting each other throughout the tournament," Mueller said. “This is exactly where we need to be going into what will be an exciting race to the finish for the state championship. We cannot predict the final result in this back-and-forth season, but I am so proud of what we have become.”   

On Saturday, the two teams will be in Polson to compete in the Class A Western Divisional tournament. Divisionals will decide who gets to compete in the state championships with the top 12 advancing in each event. Teams can have three entries per event as they compete for a spot on the state team, Roe said.  

The Class A State Championship is Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 in Laurel. 

The following are local individual results. 

Humorous Interpretation 

1. Tia Marie Poor, Columbia Falls  

5. Reed Wollenzien, Columbia Falls 

6. Adrien Sandon-Thompson, Columbia Falls 

Program Oral Interpretation 

1. Carson Settles, Columbia Falls 

4. Kira Shanks, Columbia Falls 

7. Emma Wilcox, Columbia Falls 

Impromptu Speaking 

2. Eleanor Smiley, Columbia Falls 

6. Sage Petioni, Columbia Falls 

7. Abby Lawhead, Columbia Falls 

Dramatic Interpretation 

1. Kory Moran, Columbia Falls 

2. Tia Maria Poor, Columbia Falls 

5. Von Blanchard, Columbia Falls 

8. Mady Walker, Columbia Falls 

Extemporaneous Speaking 

2. Sage Petioni, Columbia Falls 

7. Selah Heinzen, Columbia Falls 

8. Merrick Fairchild, Columbia Falls 

Memorized Public Address 

2. Kira Shanks, Columbia Falls 

3. Eleanor Smiley, Columbia Falls 

4. Merell Cooley, Columbia Falls 

8. Miles Colliander, Columbia Falls 

Informative Speaking 

3. Greyson Pfeifle, Columbia Falls 

6. Brandon Widhalm, Columbia Falls 

8. Elizabeth Burton, Columbia Falls 

Public Forum Debate 

1. Quinn Caudle and Kaya Carlburg, Columbia Falls 

4. Alston Olson and Stimson Dolesh, Columbia Falls 

Lincoln-Douglas Debate 

3. Celestine Young, Columbia Falls  

4. Josie Ekholt, Columbia Falls 

6. Melody McNally, Columbia Falls 

Duo Interpretation 

3. Carson Settles and Reed Wollenzien, Columbia Falls 

Original Oratory 

3. Merell Cooley, Columbia Falls 

5. Abby Lawhead, Columbia Falls 

Policy Debate 

3. Boone Shanks and Lauren Rogers, Columbia Falls 

4. Logan Emerson and Kendal Moultray, Columbia Falls 

5. Cheyenne Dear-Ruel and Loren Connors, Columbia Falls