JACKSON, Wyo. — This weekend, The Jackson Hole High School Speech and Debate Team placed second at the Rock Springs Invitational Tournament hosted by Rock Springs High School. The Jackson team, coached by Londe and Peggy Gagnon earned 52 points, while Cheyenne East took first place with 73 points.
Seniors and team captains Josh Hansen and Preston Harmon led the top finishes with their first-place finish in Public Forum Debate. Harmon went on to place third in Extemporaneous Speaking while Hansen went on to finish in second place in Congressional Debate.
Junior Will Aepli topped the podium in Congressional Debate and teamed up with fellow junior Lily Briggs in Public Forum Debate where they took home third. Briggs continued her weekend accomplishments by placing fourth in Congressional Debate and sixth in Program Oral Interpretation.
Additionally, sophomore Blanca Sartillo Mejia found success in Program Oral Interpretation where she placed fourth. She teamed up with fellow sophomore Julieta Anaya Aguilar in Duet Interpretation where they reached the semi-finals. Anaya Aguilar went on to reach the semi-finals in both Poetry Interpretation and Humorous Interpretation as well.
Sophomore Bohdan Barnett continued his season’s success in Informative Speaking by placing sixth. He teamed up with junior Carter Worcester in Duet Interpretation where they reached the semi-finals. They were joined in semi-finals by sophomores Sophie Lamb and Maya Worcester. Carter Worcester and Lamb also reached the final round of Congressional Debate where they placed tenth and thirteenth respectively.
Sophomore Alexis Hernandez placed fifth in Extemporaneous Speaking. Junior Sarah Schweitzer reached the semi-finals of the event as well.
“Only one more tournament remains before the State tournament. With the team’s performances this weekend the students have shown they are gearing up for the very competitive culminating tournaments. We are excited to meet the challenges the next few weeks will provide,” said Coach Londe Gagnon.
Jackson competes this coming weekend at the Worland Invitational held by Worland High School.
