The Lennox Speech and Debate team has been busy in competition the past weekends and they have had growth and success as they prepare for the National Qualifying Tournaments and the State Tournament that marks the end of the season.
Right before the Christmas break, the team competed at the Brookings Bell tournament. The team had several strong showings. Emma Kilene was a finalist in Program Oral interp. Maddigan Van Sickle was a finalist in novice informative. Gunnar Geiken placed third in Varsity international extemporaneous Speaking. The team placed third in sweepstakes.
After Christmas break, two novice teams participated in the Douglas Tschetter Novice Championships held in Milbank.Â
The teams of Madix Havard and Noah Sitter, and Maddigan VanSickle and Emersen Lee went 2-2 at the tournament.
The next tournament took place in Watertown, SD. At the Roberts Invitational tournament the team had many strong finishes. Maddigan Van Sickle finished ninth in humorous interp. Emma Kilene was a finalist in Program Oral Interp. Gunnar Geiken was a semi-finalist in varsity Lincoln-Douglas. The team placed second in team sweepstakes.
Next the team traveled to Yankton at the end of January. At that tournament, Maddigan VanSickle was a finalist in humorous interp. Gunnar Geiken placed third in international extemp. Emersen Lee and Maddigan VanSickle went 3-2 in novice public forum. McKenzie Rittenour had a strong 3-3 showing in varsity LD and Gunnar Geiken finished with a 4-2 record and was a semi-finalist in varsity LD. The team also finished second in sweepstakes.
This past weekend, the team competed at the Sioux Falls Jefferson tournament. In informative speaking, Gavin Swier finished ninth. Madix Havard finished eighth in combined extemporaneous speaking.Â
Rylee Lottman and Lorelia Larry finished fourth in duo interp. On the debate side of the tournament, Emersen Lee and Maddigan VanSickle finished as octa finalists in JV public forum. Gunnar Geiken picked up his second tournament victory and finished first out of 36 debaters in varsity LD with a 7-1 record, defeating an Aberdeen Central debater in the final round.
Next week the team will go to Harrisburg for the Rushmore Challenge. On February 16 and 17, the team will return to Harrisburg for the National Qualifier. At that tournament the top to finishers in events will earn a place at the National tournament. The State tournament will be held in Watertown on March 1 and 2.