Bobcat Speech and Debate team first at UW tourney

The Hot Springs County High School Speech and Debate Team improved on their successful regular season with a first place finish in the 1A/2A division at the University of Wyoming High School Speech and Debate Tournament, held at UW on February 10-11. The competition was another large and competitive venue with 18 schools attending and over 400 total event entries.  

Senior and co-team captain Karina Lea broke into semifinals in Informative Speaking and nearly broke into finals, finishing in 9th place.  The senior leader also completed preliminary Poetry Interpretation rounds and finished in the top 20.

Junior and co-team captain Julia Quintanilla once again brought down the house in Humorous Interpretation with a semifinal break and an 11th place finish.  Fellow junior Ivey Goff also had a great Humorous Interpretation tournament taking 15th place.  Adding to the impressive Humor results, junior Riley O’Brien and sophomore Kiesha Kraushaar finished in the top 30 with their performances.

Quintanilla and partner, sophomore Zoey Larson, made another strong Duo showing with semifinal breaks, finishing in 8th place. Their hilarious Duo had the room rolling, along with O’Brien and partner, sophomore Brendan Butler, who also broke into semifinals with their humorous Duo and finished in 11th place.

 Freshman Dean Bihr impressed in Lincoln-Douglas once again with a winning 3-1 competitive record in Lincoln-Douglas Debate.  Bihr finished in 9th place in LD just outside of breaks, while his teammate and practice partner, sophomore and co-team captain Rosalie Willson, finished with an impressive 2-2 record and top 20 finish in LD. Willson’s Program Oral Interpretation performance additionally placed in the top 25 of competitors.

Senior and co-team captain Chris Bapst led the Congressional Debate competitors to a successful tournament as well.  Bapst, Bihr, Willson, and sophomore Ben Weaver all gave speeches on bills and earned strong preliminary round rankings.  These Congress students continue to improve with every tournament.

Head Coach Lyle Wiley was once again bursting with pride as he discussed the team’s growth.  “All of our interpretative competitors are working so hard, pushing each other to improve and bring out the best versions of their pieces,” said Wiley.  “Our debaters are constantly pushing to add evidence, improve their speaking abilities, and write new, innovative cases,” he added.  

Wiley was quick to credit the work of his assistant coach, Alyssa Brown, and other volunteers who have helped the team grow.   

Along with others, former Bobcats, Josiah Butler, Kyle Mosser, and Breeze Petty also lend a hand to help the team.  Grace Martin, a paraprofessional at Hot Springs County High School, has also been reaching out to assist the team.  Martin and teacher Elizabeth Mertz, have assisted with travel and judging needs throughout the year.

The team next travels to Greybull for the  Forensics Challenge on February 17-18.