GR Speech team takes 2nd at state

Second place wasn't what the Green River High School Speech and Debate Team expected to get at the state competition, but that's over and they are now focusing on districts.

"They were disappointed. It wasn't the result they were hoping for, but there is some great competition throughout the state," assistant coach Jason Grubb said. "It is a difficult tournament. We have been trading off first-place finishes with Cheyenne East all season at various tournaments. They had a good state tournament."

Cheyenne East claimed first place this year with 78 points, while Green River took second place with 52 points, Cheyenne Central with 49 points and Rock Springs took fourth with 47 points.

Grubb said everyone on the team gave it their best and that's all the coaches could ask for.

One Green River student who stood out was Gregory Marchal, who claimed his second state title in extemporaneous speaking and in policy debate with his debate partner and brother Patrick Marchal. For Grubb, the entire team did well as everyone advanced beyond preliminary rounds into octofinals, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.  

"We were surprised we did not have more students in final rounds. The students on the state squad have been performing well all season and have placed at every tournament we've attended," Grubb said. "This was also the first tournament all season we did not take first in Lincoln Douglas debate. This was unexpected."  

One area the coaches would have liked the team to do better in was the non-debate events. They would have liked to see them in higher placing in the final rounds, he said.

"We are strong in debate events. Each of our state finalists compete in debate events in addition to any non-debate events the compete in," he said.

With state behind them, the team doesn't have long to reflect on the second-place finish since the Windriver District Tournament is scheduled to take place this weekend. This tournament is huge because it is the National Speech and Debate Association's qualifying tournament, he said. This Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the event will take place in Rock Springs at Western Wyoming Community College.

"The team will hold regular practice. With this being the last tournament of the season and the district tournament, some students may put in extra time," Grubb said. "There will be stronger focus and determination to do well. Everyone wants to finish strong and earn an opportunity to compete at the national tournament in June."

Grubb said this weekend 43 will compete because they have earned enough points to send that many students to compete

"Districts is primarily an individual competition. Only the top two finishers in each event will qualify for the national tournament. Although some events will allow for the top three finishers if there are enough entries in the event," Grubb said. "Thus, the biggest competition becomes your own teammates especially when you are on the most successful teams in the state."

State results

Gregory Marchal: first place in extemporaneous speaking

Gregory and Patrick Marchal: first place in policy debate

Dallin Hoyt: second place in Lincoln Douglas debate and fourth place in humorous interpretation

Abigaile Grubb: third place in Lincoln Douglas debate and fourth place in informative speaking

Atlin Johnson: fourth place in Congressional debate

Jesse Lauze-Reyes: fifth place in Congressional debate

Sarah Kropf and Karlee Cutler: semifinalist in duo interpretation

Lynzi Johnson: semifinalist in program oral interpretation

Victoria Allen: semifinalist in original oratory

Savrina Karimi: semifinalist in Congressional debate

Patrick Marchal: semifinalist in Congressional debate

Matthew Pickering: semifinalist in Congressional debate

Cassie Newcomb and Savrina Karimi: quarterfinalist in public forum debate

Leona Grimes: quarterfinalist in poetry

Caeden Grubb: octofinalist in Lincoln Douglas debate

Rachel Heisinger: octofinalist in Lincoln Douglas debate

Special award

Abigaile Grubb received one of five Forensic Ambassador awards. This award is given by the Wyoming High School Forensics Association to students that embody the spirit of the association.