Speech team gears up for regular season

Some of the members of the Minneota Speech team competed in the annual Marshall Speech Spectacular Friday and Saturday as a warmup to the regular season.

“This is one of the biggest tournaments we go to, with competition from a lot of AA schools and out-of-state schools,” said Minneota Coach Kim Gades, the reigning Section 3A Coach of the Year.

Competing for the first time this season were seniors Zoe DeBoer in Storytelling, Sean Dilley in Informative, Jacob Haen in Humorous and Duo, and Brenden Kimpe in Extemp Speaking and Duo.

Junior Katie Walerius in Original Oratory and sophomore Emma Lipinski in Great Speech and Prose also competed for the Vikings’ team.

“It was a great meet and all the kids got some good feedback,” said Gades. “We are ready to take on our ‘regular season’ meets starting next weekend.”

Minneota’s full squad begins the regular season Saturday at the Worthington Invitational. Minneota then hosts its invitational on Feb. 8.

RESULTS FRIDAY-SATURDAY

Breaking to Varsity Quarterfinals: Kimpe and Haen in Duo, Kimpe in Extemp Speaking, Lipinski in Great Speeches, and DeBoer in Storytelling.

Breaking to Varsity Semifinals: Kimpe in Extemp Speaking, DeBoer in Storytelling.

Breaking to Novice Finals: Walerius in Oratory (Walerius placed first in Novice Oratory).