JACKSON, Wyo. — The Jackson Hole High School Speech and Debate Team continued its season’s accomplishments with another 4A 2nd place finish at the T- Bird Classic, hosted virtually by Casper College, November 20 & 21 Seventeen schools attended the meet with Cheyenne East finishing again in 1st.
Senior and team captain, Josh Hansen had an extremely rewarding meet, coming away as the champion in Congressional Debate. The Jackson squad continued to be triumphant in the event with junior Carter Worcester taking 5th, junior Will Aepli taking 3rd, and junior Lily Briggs placing 2nd. This is the second week in a row Jackson boasted the top three finishers in the event.
Hansen and debate partner, fellow senior and team captain Preston Harmon went on to tie for first place in Public Forum Debate alongside Aepli and Briggs. Worcester and partner Alexis Hernandez placed third in the same event, securing another top-three finish for the Jackson squad. Briggs placed second in the varsity PF Debate Top Speaker category while Aepli brought home first.
Harmon went on to place second in Extemporaneous Speaking while Hernandez, freshman Jackson Neishabouri, and junior Sarah Schweitzer reached the semifinals of the same event. Neishabouri and Schweitzer’s finishes hold particular significance as they are novices that were competing in the varsity category of the event this weekend.
Jackson Neishabouri went on to place 5th in Novice LD Debate. In fact, he tied his twin brother, James Neishabouri for this award. Jackson Neishabouri also placed second in the novice LD Top Speaker category- an award based on speaker points earned during preliminary rounds.
Sophomore Julieta Anaya found incredible success in Humorous Interpretation, finishing in second place. She went on to bring home third place in Impromptu Speaking. The Jackson squad had a strong showing in this event as well with Hernandez taking 6th while Hansen, Aepli, Jackson Neishabouri, and sophomore Blanca Sartillo reached the semifinals. Sophomore Frida Campuzano Olivares also reached semi-finals in Informative Speaking.
The T-Bird Classic offers a unique award at their tournament titled the “Ashley Landen Schulz Individual Sweepstakes Award” which is awarded based on students’ finishes in individual events throughout the weekend. Briggs was honored as the 6th place finisher in this category and Hansen was recognized in 4th place.
The team, coached by Peggy and Londe Gagnon proves to be holding their own in their first year competing again in 4A. Coach Peggy Gagnon stated, “ The strength of the team continues to grow. This was a tough meet where many events combined novice and varsity competitors into the same categories. We are extremely proud of what our team was able to accomplish especially given the challenges of a virtual format. We think the talent and support the team showed this weekend was extraordinary and we anticipate a very promising upcoming season.”
