JACKSON, Wyo. — After two winning weekends in a row, the Jackson Hole High School Speech and Debate Team managed a 2nd place finish at the Mustang Classic at Natrona County High School last weekend.
This largest meet of the season drew 28 schools with close to 800 total entries. Riverton captured 1st place with 34 points. Jackson was close behind with 28 points, edging out Worland (21 points) and Douglas (20 points).
Coaches Londe and Peggy Gagnon said the competition was fierce.
“Students needed to be near perfect in preliminary rounds to advance. The scores many of our team earned would have advanced them to culminating rounds at any other tournament of the season,” said Londe Gagnon.
Juniors Josh Hansen and Preston Harman joined forces in Public Forum Debate to take 1st place amongst a field of 47 entries. The team explored the issue of whether or not the United States should replace means-tested welfare programs with a universal basic income. Senior and team captain, Darcy Mueller, joined partner Lily Briggs to reach quarter finals of the event, bringing home 5th place.
Harmon went on to place 4th in Extemporaneous Speaking, the second-largest event at the tournament with 74 entries. Senior and team captain, Warren Levy, placed 3rd, while Mueller and senior Maleah Tuttle both reached quarter-finals of the event.
Hansen also made it to the final round of Congressional Debate. He was joined by sophomores Will Aepli and Carter Worcester. Aepli and Levy made it to the octo-final round of Lincoln Douglas Debate after going undefeated in preliminary rounds.
Freshman Nicole Checker did very well in Poetry Interpretation by reaching semi-finals in the event that saw 77 total entries. Tuttle reached the semi-final round in Program Oral Interpretation, tying for 7th in the event that had 48 total entries.
Tuttle also found success in Impromptu Speaking where she placed 4th amongst a field of 52 competitors. Checker and Freshman Julieta Anaya advanced to the semi-final round of the event as well.
Senior River Gayton did well in Informative Speaking narrowly missing the advancement to the semi-final round in the event but finishing in a tie for 10th place. Sophomore Nayeli Hernandez Lopez reached semi-finals in Original Oratory.
The team next travels to Powell this coming weekend, then it’s back home to host their own invitational tournament on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14-15.
