The Jackson Hole High School Speech and Debate Team managed a Top 5 showing at the Bison Stampede, held by Cheyenne South High School December 4-5.
Jackson’s 4th place finish was impressive considering just two-thirds of the team made the trip to the meet, which attracted 18 schools and more than 250 total entries.
Sophomore Sophie Lamb dominated novice Congressional Debate with a 1st place finish in the event. In the varsity division of the event, Jackson did not send anyone to the top of the podium but the Broncs did manage a 2nd place finish from senior and team captain Josh Hansen. Junior William Aepli took home 3rd place, junior Carter Worcester nailed down 4th, and junior Lily Briggs secured 6th place.
Worcester partnered with senior and team captain Preston Harmon for a 2nd place award in varsity Public Forum Debate. Aepli and Briggs partnered in the same event and followed closely behind, finishing in 3rd.
Jackson coaches Londe and Peggy Gagnon were also pleased with the growth they saw in Lincoln Douglas Debate where Hansen placed 7th in the varsity division. In the novice category, Lamb finished in 4th, barely missing the semifinal round.
“The team continues to thrive and grow and we are thrilled to see their progress in this virtual format,” Londe Gagnon said.
Other notable highlights of the meet included Extemporaneous Speaking, where Harmon placed 3rd in the varsity division of the event. Freshman Jackson Neishabouri brought home 4th place in the novice division.
The Jackson squad continued to improve its standing in Interpretation Events over the weekend.
Sophomore Julieta Anaya partnered with sophomore Blanca Sartillo to bring home 4th in Duo Interpretation. Anaya went on to place 6th in Humorous Interpretation while Sartillo secured 4th place in Program Oral Interpretation. Sophomore Ventura Garcia Perez placed 7th in novice Dramatic Interpretation with his rendition of Oedipus Rex by Sophocles.
Next up for the Speech and Debate team is a weekend tournament hosted by the University of Wyoming.
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