Speech and Debate Goes to State

For the first time in its short history, the Lockwood speech and debate team competed in the Class A state tournament. The two-day event was held in Corvallis on January 28-29.

After a strong showing at the Eastern divisionals in Havre, the Lions qualified 9 of the team’s eleven members for state, and hopes were high heading into the final tournament of the year.

Head coach Jared Smith tested positive for Covid and could not attend the tournament, but LHS English teacher and multi-sport coach Katie Browning led the Lions to an impressive showing. In the end, one member of the Lockwood team made it to the final round, two more to semifinals, and the rest of the squad fought hard but ultimately fell short of breaking into finals to earn a state medal.

Junior Gwyn Cusak, competing in original oratory, was the lone lion to advance to finals, where she earned a well-deserved second-place medal.

In dramatic interpretation of literature, freshman Laira Larson collected several high scores in preliminary rounds and advanced to semifinals but could not break into finals.

Junior Lily Conklin, also competing in dramatic interpretation of literature, and sophomore Emilee Shults in humorous interpretation put up quality scores in the early rounds. Still, both were unable to advance past round 5.

Sophomore Seth Ahlgren had his strongest performance of the season for extemporaneous speaking and advanced to semifinals but just missed the cut for finals.

In her first year of impromptu, Junior Elizabeth Buckalew fought hard but also missed out on advancing to finals.

Unfortunately, Freshman Emily Brandenburg, who has had an impressive first season in informative speaking, did not have her best tournament and failed to advance to semifinals.

On the debate side, sophomores Nevaeh Lee and Mayson James won 2 and lost 3 in public forum debate. It was their strongest performance of the season, but they still fell just short of advancing to semifinals.

Although this was the last tournament of the MHSA season, there will be one final competition, the National Qualifiers, which will be held at Billings Senior High School on February 11-12. Emily Brandenburg, Gwyn Cusak, Laira Larson, and Emilee Shults will be representing Lockwood at this prestigious event. If they place in the top 3 in their event, they will earn a spot at the National tournament, which will take place in Louisville, Kentucky, in June.