Qualifying speech and debate team members from Marietta High School headed to their regional tournament, held March 22 and 23 on the campus of Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford.
Once there, two members, Kyle Austin and Dovan Bucher, qualified for the state tournament. Austin placed in prose, and Bucher was the 4A Monologue Regional Champion.
Additionally, Benito Maldonado, Emma Chaney, Jameson Muller, and Kelsi Lawson were all finalists and are state alternates.
“Our alternates, Kyle [Austin], Dovan [Bucher], and I will all go to state,” said Coach Alicia Harris. “The alternates will go in case they get called up, and also so that they can observe the other competitors to help them continue to learn and grow.”
The group will head to the state tournament, held on April 12 and 13 on the campus of Rose State College in Oklahoma City.
As a team, MHS placed third in the 4A team sweepstakes.
“It was a fantastic experience overall, and I’m so proud of our kids,” said Harris. “I love this group of kids. They want to absorb everything they can about speech. They’re already choosing events for next year, even though we aren’t done with this year yet!”