Speech and debate team takes 1st

The speech and debate team finished the regular season strong when it took first in its last tournament before state.

This past weekend, the Green River High School Speech and Debate team traveled to Rawlins to take on 19 teams with more than 300 competitors. Their hard work paid off and they took first, followed by Natrona County in second and Rock Springs in third.

Head coach Carina White said Cheyenne East, one of the most competitive teams, was there with about 20 students.

Even though the team will compete at State in Riverton, Thursday through Saturday, not all of them will be going.

White said each team is only allowed to bring 20 competitors to make it a level playing field because some teams have so many participants. 

“It was a bittersweet finish. It will be the last time they all compete together and winning that tournament meant a lot,” White said.

The cross examination team members finished strong by tying for first place.

“Debate, Congress, and informative have been real strengths for us this season,” she said.

As for picking the state team, the coaches have a few things they are looking for in team members to make their selections.

“We look at their overall record this season, work ethic, coachability and what other 4A teams have strength in and then we try to make the most competitive team we can,” she said.

This year, 18 students from GRHS were selected to compete at state. Those students are Will Allen, Danny Christensen, Raymond Garcia, Rachel Heisinger, Levi Hren, Dallin Kurth, Shelbee McFadden, Olivia Nielsen, Levi Peterson, Jessica Petri, Matthew Pickering, Caleb Ragsdale, Mikkie Scott, Rebecca Shamer, Ramsey Taliaferro, Hannah Thomas, Spencer Travis and Madi Young.

State will be a tough competition for the team and White knows it.

“All the 4A schools have strength and with 20 entries anything can happen. We have to be at the very top of our game,” White said.

“We want our state title back. We have held the 4A state title eight out of the last 11 years and our goal is to win state.”

Rawlins results

Congress: Matthew Pickering, third place

Drama: Kami Lloyd and Raymond Garcia, semifinalists

Informative: Mikki Scott, fourth place

Lincoln Douglas debate: Levi Petersen, second place, Rachel Heisinger, third place

Cross examination debate: Rebecca Shamer and Levi Hren and  Shelbee Mcfadden and Madi Young, first-place tie

Public forum debate: Matthew Pickering and Ramsey Taliaferro, third place

Program oral interpretation: Olivia Nielsen, third place

Oratory: Olivia Nielsen, sixth place, Jenna Robertson and Elijah Kropf, semifinalists

Extemporaneous: Hannah Thomas, third place, Spencer Travis, sixth place

Poetry: Olivia Nielsen and Hayley Cloward, semifinalists

Humor: Will Allen, third place, Amber Gamble and Elijah Kropf, semifinalists