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Bobcat Speech and Debate emerges as Riverton tourney champs

The Hot Springs County High School Speech and Debate Team continued their successful regular season with a first place finish in the 1A/2A division at the Riverton Invitational, held at Riverton High School, February 3-4. The competition was as strong as any tournament in the state thus far with 24 schools attending and 470 total event entries.  

Junior and co-team captain Julia Quintanilla continued to produce laughs in Humorous Interpretation with a 4th place finish on the final stage. Fellow juniors, Ivey Goff and Riley O'Brien also finished in the top 20 of Humorous Interpretation.  O'Brien added to a strong tournament with a 5th place finish in Duo Interpretation with partner and sophomore Brendan Butler.  

Freshman Dean Bihr especially stood out with his first Super Congress break and a 9th place finish in Congressional Debate. Adding to his stellar tournament, Bihr completed a 3-1 competitive record in Lincoln-Douglas Debate and finished in 5th place.  Sophomore and co-team captain Rosalie Willson also finished strong in LD Debate with a 2-2 record and top 20 finish. Willson's Program Oral Interpretation performance additionally placed in the top 15 of competitors.

Senior and co-team captain Karina Lea also completed an excellent showing at the tournament with a finish in the top 15 in Poetry Interpretation and the top 20 of Informative Speaking. While sophomore Ki Kraushaar also finished in the top 20 of Dramatic Interpretation.

Head Coach Lyle Wiley expressed excitement at the team's resilience and fight at such a large tournament. "We are nearing the home stretch of our culminating tournaments (Districts and State), and it really feels like the team is coming together," said Wiley.  "We are so proud of all the hard work and growth we see from these young competitors," he added.

The team next travels to Laramie for the University of Wyoming Tournament on February 10-11 before the Greybull Forensics Challenge on February 17-18.  The District National Qualifying Tournament will be in Rock Springs on February 23-25. 

 

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