MHS Debaters Win Second Place at State Tournament

MHS debaters finished their season by claiming the second-place trophy at the 2024 South Dakota High School Debate Tournament held March 2-3 in Watertown. Their win was fueled by some top finishes, but Kathy Tyler, head coach for the Bulldogs, said, “ It took every debater to make it happen.” According to Tyler, trophy winners at State are determined by a point system— every student in every event receives points. Like many sports, the number of team points determines the winner. Less than three points separated second and third places.

Individually, Max Schuelke earned first place in the Lincoln-Douglas debate. He also took third in U.S. Extemp. Dana Chan collected fourth place in Informative Oratory. Shane Spiering took sixth in International Extemp. The Public Forum duo of Shane Spiering and Trixie Coalter reached the quarter-finals. They both received fifth-place medals. Adding the essential points for the team to win, were: Bri Hicks, who took seventh in Informational Oratory; Taylor Hallquist and Trixie Coalter in Original Oratory; and Keira Steffen in International Extemp. Tyler also gave kudos to Hallquist, Coalter, and Steffen for leaving their safety zones and preparing oratories and practicing extemp speeches.

Schools can have two entries in each event, and Tyler said, “Milbank was able to accomplish their win because they filled every available spot. Eight MHS debaters participated in six different varsity events: Original Oratory, Informative Oratory, U.S. Extemp, International Extemp, Public Forum Debate, and Lincoln-Douglas Debate.

State A Team Rankings: (1) Spearfish (2) Milbank (3) Beresford. Other Class A schools that participated included Lennox, Vermillion, Sioux Falls Christian, Dakota Valley, Tea Area, Tripp-Delmont, and Little Wound.

The Bulldogs finished their 2023-2024 debate season in grand fashion with a second-place win,” Tyler commented. “However, the feat could not have been accomplished without the help of IE coach Sandy Christensen and Miriah Hicks, the assistant coach. Their time and efforts were keys to the team’s success.”

“Also, there were bumps and bruises along the way this year, but these eight debaters stepped up to the plate and accomplished amazing things,” Tyler said. “Many thanks to parents and the news media for their support, and to the school for the financial support and the support of an amazing debate headquarters, plus the staff needed to accomplish what is needed for a superb debate team! You are appreciated!”

Submitted Photo- (l. to r.) IE Coach Sandy Christensen, Taylor Hallquist, Charlotte Street, Keira Steffen, and Assistant Coach Miriah Hicks. Front: Coach Kathy Tyler, Trixie Coalter, Shane Spiering, Max Schuelke, Dana Chan, and Bri Hicks.