Weather Hits Grinchmas Invitational

Area speech, drama and debate competitors were among the holiday traffic in Culbertson on Saturday, Dec. 13. Coach Jeri Gustafson said attendance was impacted by winter weather conditions.

“The Culbertson/Bainville/ Froid/Lake Merry Grinchmas Invitational Tournament was slated to be one of the bigger tournaments of the season, but Mother Nature and Old Man Winter had other ideas,” Gustafson said. “While Monday saw 160 potential competitors, snow, ice, wind, and below-zero temperatures saw the numbers drop throughout the week to 127 and then almost overnight to 62 hardy souls.”

Gustafson said that just six of the originally planned 13 schools were in attendance but added that spirits were high.

“It takes a village to put on a speech, drama, and debate tournament,” said Gustafson. “Every judge who committed to helping us out showed up and offered to fill in, demonstrating how all of our ‘villages’ support our speech, drama and debate programs. While the tournament ended up much smaller than anticipated, everyone had a great time.”

Results for the Culbertson/ Bainville/Froid/Lake team were as follows: Harper Anderson took first in dramatic solo and Harrison Green placed first in impromptu. Blake Reed placed second in Lincoln/Douglas debate. Harper Struna took second in program oral interpretation; Peyton Jahns, third in program oral interpretation; Jaxon Flinn, third in informative; Colt’n Rees, second in memorized public address; Trinity Gregor, fourth in humorous solo; Brennon Roseleip, seventh in humorous oral interpretation; Jaclynne Taberna/Jennifer Folsom, second in humorous theater; Scarlet Mahoney, fourth in spontaneous oral interpretation; and Gaven Raaum, fifth in Mime.

Josie Simonsen earned first place in memorized public address. Vala Gregor/Sam Austin took first in classical theater.

The team also won firsts in Class C Speech and Class C drama.