Powell High School speech and debate team wins 3A state championship

Posted 3/17/15

“We have such a small team compared to others in our division and in 4A, but it shows that quality far outweighs quantity,” said Bianca Larsen, a senior member of the team.

During the tournament Saturday morning, the team didn’t expect to …

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Powell High School speech and debate team wins 3A state championship

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Going into the state speech and debate tournament, the Panthers were small in number. But that didn’t stop them from coming home as the leaders of the pack. The Powell High School team claimed the 3A state championship on Saturday in Buffalo.

“We have such a small team compared to others in our division and in 4A, but it shows that quality far outweighs quantity,” said Bianca Larsen, a senior member of the team.

During the tournament Saturday morning, the team didn’t expect to win the 3A state title.

“Short answer: absolutely not,” said Ted Menke, the PHS head coach. “But there were hints as we entered the stretch, because it was very close as semifinals approached three teams.”

Menke described the competition as neck and neck.

“Then our debaters all surged forward, and we sensed an advantage but had to be very careful not to look ahead before we had done our part,” Menke said.

The Panthers hadn’t beat the Jackson Hole Broncos this season and had struggled against Jackson in recent years, Menke said.

“So we were watching their progress, and looking over our shoulder at several other formidable contenders in several other events,” the coach said. “Winning was the realization of the hope which began to grow in mid-afternoon.”

Claiming the state championship brought euphoria and an adrenaline rush for the team, Menke said.

“Our reaction was pure joy,” said Ismael Dominguez, a senior member and team captain. “Our whole team was holding hands, and when they called first place, we lost it. It’s been a goal of ours to get another state title, and we finally did it.”

The school’s last speech and debate state championship was in 2010, when PHS claimed its sixth consecutive 3A title.

Hearing the announcer declare the Panthers as the 3A state champions in sweepstakes was definitely a highlight for the team, Larsen said Sunday. Teammates said they worked hard to get to that point.

“I was incredibly proud of our team for winning the state championship,” said Gretchen Moretti, a senior. “I am well aware of how much work we have all put in to make, not only our individual events, but the entire team, a success.”

Larsen said the team had been through a lot this year with losing its previous head coach and dealing with some internal issues this season.

“… however, it was spectacular to watch us pull it all together and win,” Larsen said. “Our new coach, Mr. Menke, and our assistant coach, Lenita Moore, have been so valuable to the success that we saw this year. Winning state was just a great payoff after all of the work we do.”

Moretti called the team’s coaches and captains amazing, and she said they really encouraged the team to become a family.

“And becoming part of a family as quirky, supportive and unforgettable as this one has been a joy,” Moretti said.

Dominguez said the team has bonded over the past couple months.

“We don’t just ride a bus and compete with each other; we have fun with each other outside of practice and tournaments,” Dominguez said. “Although we’ve had a couple issues this year, we’ve conquered those and become such a close-knit family.”

Menke said in addition the team championship and individual performances, highlights of the season included the team’s camaraderie and how they faced challenges.

This year’s speech team also took on the challenge of building a new paradigm, Menke said.

“… new styles, new expectations, new understanding of what it takes to become and to be a champion and the responsibilities implied by that position,” he said.

Menke said he is proud of the team.

He added there’s “satisfaction in achieving a very difficult and challenging goal, and a grateful sense of wonder for the good fortune and the good friends we make and share in this very special activity.”

Now that they’ve claimed the 3A state title, the Panthers must set their sights on the next challenge: the National Speech and Debate Association District Tournament in Riverton, where competitors can qualify for the national tournament. Ten Panthers will travel to the tournament this weekend.

“This week everyone is going to be hitting it hard and helping each other perfecting their pieces,” Dominguez said.

Coach Ted Menke provided the following individual results for the state speech and debate tournament:

The Panthers dominated in poetry, where seniors Gretchen Moretti claimed first place in 3A and Ismael Dominguez earned a second-place finish. In the overall tournament, they were third and fifth, respectively. Overall results include 4A, 3A, and 1A/2A competitors.

Senior Dawson Hutzenbieler won first place in humor as well as drama, finishing second overall in each category.

Maddy McDonald was a quarterfinalist in poetry and a semifinalist in drama. 

Seniors Bianca Larsen and Moretti also had a strong showing in public forum debate, finishing second among 3A competitors and making it into the quarterfinals.

Junior Connor Hunt took first place in Lincoln-Douglas debate for 3A competitors, where he finished with an impressive 7-1 record in semifinals.

Coach Menke said those top Panther competitors — Hutzenbieler, Dominguez, McDonald, Hunt, Larsen and Moretti — all earned All-State honors.

Panthers Lanee Baker, Keegan McLain, Ashley Harris, Sean Callahan, Meg Hanlin and Georgi Kisgen all placed in the top 30 percent of their categories, Menke said.

“The highest honor went to Ismael Dominguez, who earned one of only five Ambassador Awards,” Menke said. The noncompetitive award is given by the Speech Association for character, service and contribution, he said.

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