Havre speech wins Power-Dutton-Brady/Simms

Press release

Havre High School speech and debate had another successful weekend, bringing back a Class A team sweepstakes first place Saturday from the Power-Dutton-Brady/Simms Pre-Divisional Challenge.

"Our speakers continue to improve and do well at these invitational tournaments," head coach Tim Leeds said. "I am hoping we are peaking at the right time to turn in our strongest performances yet at divisionals this weekend, then at state."

Four-year veteran Kaleb Gardner led the charge for the Blue Ponies. Gardner went undefeated in the three preliminary rounds in Lincoln-Douglas debate, then faced a three-year veteran from Stanford-Geyser in the finals round. Gardner won 2-1 in a tough, close finals round to bring home a first-place medal.

First-year competitor Elaine Atkinson also brought home a medal for the Ponies, with two first-place finishes preliminary rounds in humorous oral interpretation of literature for her cutting from William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." She also pulled a first-place ranking against the top performers from one of the judges from the panel in the finals round and ended in third place for the event.

Melanie Vieth, also a first-year competitor, continued her strong showing in informative speaking as well. Vieth received one first-place ranking in preliminary rounds for her piece about social anxiety, and ended up in fourth place in the event after her finals round performance.

Havre High policy debaters LillieAnn Mecklenburg and Dartanion Kaftan earned a fourth-place finish for the Ponies debating issues on U.S. immigration policy, and Grace Crantz and Tristan Molyneaux, competing at their first tournament, took fifth in that event.

Havre now takes its full team to the eastern divisional tournament Friday and Saturday in Laurel.

The top 12 in each event at divisionals qualify to compete at the Class A state tournament Jan. 25-26 in Belgrade.