Encampment High School senior Jacob Dickinson enacts a scene in his dramatic interpretation of "Unbroken" Friday night at the Outlaw Invitational Speech Tournament in Rawlins. Dickinson's first place finish helped propel the Carbon County District No. 2 team to 2nd place in team competition.
The Saratoga Speech and Debate team's winning streak was interrupted in Rawlins this weekend when they took second place to Greybull.
"We had a number of our strongest underclassmen home sick this last weekend, which really drives home to me that our success is not just contingent upon the performance of our upperclassmen," said head coach Jake Mickelsen. Still, the seniors did not let the team down with Jacob Dickinson taking first place in Drama, Mariah Scharosh taking sixth place in Poetry and Gale Jackson taking fifth place in Humor. Robin Gloss made it to semifinals in Extemporaneous Speaking competing in a stacked field and the duo team of Jacob Dickinson and junior Maya Zeiger made it to semifinals.
"What's particularly fun about the Rawlins tournament is that friends and family got a chance to come see the students compete," Mickelsen said. "A number of parents as well as Carbon County School District No. 2 Superintendent Dr. Copeland dropped by to catch a few rounds, and their support was very well received. I'd like to especially thank community members who took time out of their weekends to come judge at the tournament, since if it wasn't for these volunteers no tournaments would ever happen."
Right now, the goal is to take the students' pieces over the top competitively, Mickelsen said. A number of community members who have coached, judged or competed in speech and debate in the past have come by to act as a set of fresh eyes and ears for the performers. The insights have been very useful, Mickelsen said. This input helps keep pieces fresh and engaging to audiences.
This weekend, they're headed to the Star Valley invitational for a very tough yet fun tournament. Many teams will not be in attendance at the event, but Jackson Hole, Natrona County High School and Kelly Walsh should be there to compete against Saratoga. "These are all large schools with deep rosters of talented competitors, but I know we'll be able to hold our own, and look forward to the challenge starting us down the final push into the state competition next month," said Mickelsen.
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