Speech Finishes the Season Strong

Lockwood’s speech and debate team took a team of four to the two-day national qualifier tournament at Billings Senior High School this past weekend and more than held their own against top-notch competition from across the state.

“I couldn’t be more proud of these kids,” head coach Jared Smith said. “We had hopes of advancing everyone to nationals, but it just wasn’t in the cards. The majority of our squad is in their first year of competition, going up against bigger schools with more experience, so the fact they are still able to be in the mix is something they should be super proud of.”

Lockwood went up against students from Class AA schools Billings Senior, Billings Skyview and Billings West, Bozeman, Gallatin High, Great Falls High, and C.M. Russell High School, along with Class A teams from Billings Central, Custer County, Havre, Laurel, and Park, as well as Glasgow, Great Falls Central, Huntley Project, Roundup and Shepherd representing Class B/C.

In total, 210 participants competed in 14 speech, debate, and drama events. Lockwood was represented by Gwyn Cusak, Laira Larson, Emily Brandenburg, and Emilee Shults, who collectively competed in four different speech events.

Junior Gwyn Cusak was the only member of the Lockwood team to make it past the preliminary rounds, ultimately advancing to finals in original oratory for the second straight year. Although she faced stiff competition in finals, she was able to rise above and earn a first-place finish and a spot in the 2022 National Speech and Debate Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky on June 12-17.

Laira Larson, a freshman, competing in the dramatic interpretation of literature, had a tough first day but bounced back on day two. Despite her efforts, she was unable to break into the semifinal round.

Another freshman, Emily Brandenburg, finished her season in style after earning a first-place victory in what ended up being her final round of the tournament. She barely missed out on advancing to semifinals in informative speaking and finished in eighth place overall.

Sophomore Emilee Shults, taking part in the humorous interpretation of literature, started strong but couldn’t put together enough points to make it past the fifth round.

Congratulations to the entire Lockwood speech and debate team for a successful season, and good luck to Gwyn Cusak as she prepares for the national tournament this summer.