Milbank Runner-up in State Debate and Forensics

The Milbank High School Forensics team claimed the Class A Runner-up trophy at the State Debate and Individual Speech contest held in Brookings March 4-5th. Vermillion claimed the championship with 232 points while Milbank was only 3 points behind with 229. Lennox was third with 172.

"The kids had a great tournament. Many bumped up their performances and made an interesting weekend; it was a team success as everyone helped out garner points for the team. Each school gets two entries in each of the six events and we had points in all of them. Milbank claimed 3 champions of the six events.

In Lincoln/Douglas debate both Milbank entries advanced through the preliminary rounds to the quarter finals. In the Quarter Final Round, Jesse Nelson defeated a speaker from Vermillion while Mitchell Wagner outtalked a speaker from Groton. In the semi-final round, Jesse was defeated by the other Vermillion entry, but Mitchell won his debate with a speaker from Lennox. In the final round Mitchell beat the Vermillion speaker on a 4-1 decision to claim the State A Championship in LD speaking.

In Public Forum Debate both entries advanced through the preliminary rounds. Brenna Rausch and Brent Seehafer were 2-1 after the first three rounds as they defeated Madison and Little Wound but suffered a loss to Harrisburg. They were then involved in a run-off round with Sioux Falls Christian which they won to advance to quarters. In the quarter final round, they were eliminated by a team from Lennox. Tim Whelan and John Ward were 3-0 after the prelimary round. In the quarter final round, they defeated a team from Hill City. In the semi-final round, they were pitted against the other team from Hill City where they won again. In the final round, they debated a team from Vermillion who they defeated on a 4-1 decision to claim the Class A Public Forum Championship.

In Policy debate, neither team from MHS advanced past the preliminary rounds. Rachel Johannsen and Rebecca Schrupp were 0-3 while Morgan Jones and Nathaniel Steinlicht were 1-2. Morgan and Nathaniel (who was a replacement for someone who was unable to attend because of illness) were one ballot away from breaking to semi's.

All six speakers in individual events broke to finals. In US Extemp, Milbank finished in 1st and 2nd as Jesse Nelson claimed the championship and Mitchell Wagner was runner-up. In International Extemp, Milbank took the 2nd and 3rd spots as Nathaniel Steinlicht was runner-up and John Ward was third. In Original Oratory, Rachel Johannsen captured the third place award while Nathaniel Steinlicht (who was subbing in this event also for a teammate who was ill) won a finalist award.

"It has been an interesting debate season. The year has demonstrated that hard work and persistence can lead to success. The state tournament was a great high point to end the season. I want to acknowledge and thank assistant coach Ron Frauenshuh for all his work this season. His willingness to work around not just weekends but practices has been phenomenal. His advice and knowledge was very helpful to the squad."

Douglas Tschetter
Language Arts Teacher
Interp/Debate and Ind. Events/Student Congress Coach
NFL Advisor
Milbank High School