Bobcat Speech and Debate members attend national tournament in Iowa

The Hot Springs County High School Speech and Debate Team brought their talents and energy to the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) 2024 National Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa, last week. This year's NSDA National Tournament included over 6,700 qualifying competitors from over 1,500 schools in venues throughout Des Moines. 

Three qualifying Bobcats - Ivey Goff, Chris Bapst, and Rosalie Willson - accompanied by coaches and judges - Lyle Wiley, Alyssa Brown, and Riley Jeffs - traveled to the weeklong, nationwide competition and performed alongside the best in the US. Goff, Bapst, and Willson worked from the beginning of October 2023 and throughout the competitive Wyoming Speech season to earn the honor to compete at the prestigious National Tournament, and they continued preparation for the tournament for roughly six weeks prior to the competition.

Goff, a graduated senior, competed in six rounds of Humor and three rounds of both Impromptu and Extemporaneous Commentary. Goff performed a hilarious interpretation of Mike Myers's classic comedy film script, "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery." 

Bapst, also a graduated senior, performed three rounds of Impromptu and Extemporaneous Commentary. While rising senior, Rosalie Willson debated in six rounds of World Schools Debate with her four teammates from Worland and Rock Springs and performed three rounds of Extemporaneous Commentary.

In his first NSDA National Tournament, Assistant Coach Riley Jeffs had the chance to judge rounds for some of the best speakers in the nation. After the experience, Jeffs said, "The tournament was packed full of incredible student talent from all over. The students from Hot Springs were no exception. Ivey, Chris and Rosalie did a great job speaking, debating and performing, and we all enjoyed ourselves in the rolling hills of Iowa."

"This year's tournament did not disappoint," said Head Coach Lyle Wiley.  Wiley added, "It was a powerful finish to another successful and exciting Bobcat Speech and Debate season. Our Bobcats had the opportunity to travel across the country, have some fun, see a diversity of amazing Speech and Debate performers from all over, and compete against the very best."

The Bobcats once again traveled on a Washakie County school bus to the tournament, teaming up with Worland, Laramie, and Rawlins to save money, create community, and support each other. The drive, while certainly rather long, was full of corn and camaraderie.  The National Tournament gives Wyoming teams an opportunity to bond together in support of each other. This year, Wyoming schools had many breaks to advancing rounds in both main events and supplemental events at the tournament and continued to show that students from the state are able to hang with the best competitors from anywhere.

"This Wyoming community continues to demonstrate the ability to compete at the national level, and we are proud of our Bobcats and all of the Wyoming students who shared their voices and talents at Nationals," said Wiley.  

"I want to once again send a heartfelt thank you to everyone in our community who participated in fundraisers or donated money to help our students compete in both the regular season and at the National Tournament," said Wiley. "These are transformative opportunities for students to share their voice, make lasting friendships, and learn about different places and perspectives."  

It was a fitting end to impressive Speech and Debate careers for Goff and Bapst, and a strong finish for Willson who returns to the team for her senior year. "I'm so glad that Ivey and Chris were able to close out their career as a Bobcat at the biggest Speech and Debate stage. These two are going to go on to big futures, but we will certainly miss their leadership and talent. Plus, Rosalie has another year of competition and growth ahead, and I hope to see her back here to compete again next year. She will be an important leader on the team in the coming season," said Wiley. This coming fall, Goff will attend Casper College and compete with the Thunderbird Speech and Debate Team, while Bapst will attend Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne.

The 2024 Wyoming State 1A/2A Runner-Up Bobcats will start fundraising for the upcoming Speech and Debate season after a short break and begin practices for the 2024-2025 campaign in October. Next year's NSDA National Tournament will again be hosted by Des Moines, Iowa, for the Centennial Celebration of the event.