SHAKOPEE, Minn. - Juniors Eleanor Culloton (Informative) and Evan Froslie (Storytelling) and sophomore Davie Judd (Poetry) all earned individual championships while seniors Nikolas Dahmen (Discussion) and Emma Andersen (Drama) and junior Elise Halvorson (Great Speeches) took home runner-up honors as the Spuds ran away with the Class AA Team Sweepstakes Title for the eighth consecutive season. 

Moorhead finished with 19 medals, one off the all-time State record and matching a team-high mark set in 2015. The team's 98 sweepstakes points also ties a program and league record set in 2022. 

Seniors CeCe Bedore (Drama) and Leif Carlson (Prose) each placed third and picked up their third career State medal, becoming just the 12th and 13th Spuds to accomplish that feat.

Seniors Karena Christenson (5th, Informative), Macy Larson (5th, Great Speeches), juniors Ashlyn Kanuch (4th, Humor), Sam Schaefer (3rd, Oratory), Luc duCharme (4th, Duo), Elise Halvorson (2nd, Great Speeches) and Evan Froslie (1st, Storytelling) all earned their second State medals.

Finalists earning their first State medal include seniors Lucie Swanson (5th, Poetry), Nikolas Dahmen (2nd, Discussion) and Emma Andersen (2nd, Drama), juniors Menkayla Kruah (4th, Duo), Tim Gabbard (8th, Prose), and Eleanor Culloton (1st, Informative), sophomores Sophia Dehmer (7th, Creative), Nirvana Robertson (7th, Drama) and Davie Judd (1st, Poetry), and freshmen Miriam Culloton (4th, Creative), and Sienna Lee & Ubin Kim (6th, Duo). 

Full tournament results can be found on Speechwire and from the MSHSL.

With Judd's win in Poetry, the Spuds have now claimed gold in that event for the third straight year (Finn Larson in 2023 and Anika Drees in 2022). It's the first back-to-back-to-back event titles in team history.

In Drama, all three entries reached finals. It's just the eighth time in team history that three entries earned medals in the same event (Great Speeches, 2023; Storytelling, 2023; Drama, 2022; Duo, 2013; Prose, 2018 and 2010; Humor, 2021). Consecutive medal streaks were also extended in Duo and Poetry (13 straight years) and Drama, Great Speeches, and Prose (9 years).

With the Minnesota season now complete, the team will look ahead to NIETOC in less than three weeks and Nationals next month in Des Moines, IA. 

By the numbers:

37 - The Spuds now have 37 MSHSL State Champions, sixth most all-time.

11 - The Spuds have earned at least one gold medal in each of the last eleven State Tournaments. 

12 - Moorhead has earned ten or more medals in each of the last twelve State Tournaments. 

13 - The number of Spuds to earn three MSHSL State medals in a career. With their third place finishes this year, seniors CeCe Bedore and Leif Carlson join McKenzie Bedore, Krista Costin, Nina Grollman, Emily Hagenson, Sophia Klindt, Izzy Larson, Auna Lee, Katherine Leiseth, Devon Solwold, Clay Schwartzwalter, and Matt Wisenden on this list.

125 - Total medals earned by Moorhead since winning their first of eight straight State titles in 2016, most in Minnesota. In that span, Apple Valley has won 85, Eagan 78, Eastview, 68, and Lakeville North, 58. 

22 - The number of Spud State Champions since 2016, most in Minnesota over the last eight State Tournaments. Eastview has twelve, Apple Valley has eleven, and Eagan has ten champions in that span. 

279 - The number of total medals earned in team history, third most all-time in Class AA (Apple Valley, 450; Eagan 356). 

5 & 4 - The Spuds have won gold in Informative in five of the past nine State Tournaments. Moorhead has also won four of the past six gold medals in Poetry, including each of the last three. 

MOORHEAD, Minn. - After wrapping up a record 29th consecutive Section 8AA championship on April 5, the Spuds enter the 2024 State Tournament looking to make it eight straight Class AA team titles. Their 24 entries lead all schools and Moorhead is just one of two teams (Eagan) to qualify at least one entry in 12 of the 13 MSHSL events. Moorhead also holds eleven #1 seeds in this year's tournament, most in the state.

Leading the way for the Spuds is senior Macy Larson who is competing in her fourth State Tournament, becoming just the tenth Spud to accomplish that feat. Larson will compete in Great Speeches for the fourth time; in 2023, she took 3rd place. 

Four Spuds are making their third appearance at State, including seniors Karena Christenson (Inform), Leif Carlson (Prose), and CeCe Bedore (Drama), and junior Eleanor Culloton (Inform). Bedore and Carlson are looking for their third overall medals while Carlson is also aiming to repeat as State champion after winning in Drama last season. 

Nine more Spuds are making their second appearance at State, including seniors Nikolas Dahmen (Discussion) and Emma Andersen (Drama), juniors Jinu Lee (Ex. Speaking), Elise Halvorson (Great Speeches), Ashlyn Kanuch (Humor), Sam Schaefer (Oratory), Luc duCharme (Duo), and Evan Froslie (Storytelling), and sophomore Davie Judd (Poetry). 

The remaining entries are all making their first trip to State: Seniors Peyton Mestery (Inform) and Lucie Swanson (Poetry), juniors Haley DeSmith (Discussion), Menkayla Kruah (Duo), Ella Larson (Ex. Speaking) and  Tim Gabbard (Prose), sophomores Sophia Dehmer (Creative) and Nirvana Robertson (Drama), and freshmen Miriam Culloton (Creative), Sienna Lee & Ubin Kim (Duo), and Norah Carlson (Humor). 

The tournament will be held this Saturday, April 20 at Shakopee HS with preliminary rounds starting at 10:15 am. Finals are scheduled for 3:30 pm. Awards will be live-streamed on Twitter @SpudSpeech and on NSPN.TV beginning around 5:30 pm. More information about the tournament can be found on Speechwire. For schematics and round-by-round information, go to StateSpeech.com. The full tournament program can be found here. 

State Tournament Roster:

Creative Ex: Miriam Culloton, Sophia Dehmer

Discussion: Nikolas Dahmen, Haley DeSmith

Drama: CeCe Bedore, Emma Andersen, Nirvana Robertson

Duo: Menkayla Kruah & Luc duCharme, Ubin Kim & Sienna Lee

Ex. Speaking: Jinu Lee, Ella Larson

Great Speeches: Macy Larson, Elise Halvorson

Humor: Ashlyn Kanuch, Norah Carlson

Inform: Karena Christenson, Eleanor Culloton, Peyton Mestery

Oratory: Sam Schaefer

Poetry: Davie Judd, Lucie Swanson

Prose: Leif Carlson, Tim Gabbard

Storytelling: Evan Froslie

By the numbers:

34 - The Spuds have 34 MSHSL State Champions, sixth most all-time.

1-2 - Moorhead has finished in 1st and 2nd place in a single event four times in tournament history, all coming in the last five State Tournaments (Poetry, 2023; Great Speeches and Humor, 2022; Prose, 2018). 

10 - The Spuds have earned at least one gold medal in each of the last ten State Tournaments. 

11 - Moorhead has earned ten or more medals in each of the last eleven State Tournaments. 

11 - The number of years since the last State championship in Creative (Annie Cameron, 2013). It has been seven years since the last gold medal in Duo and six years since the last title in Prose. The Spuds have yet to claim a gold medal in Discussion or Ex. Speaking.

11 - The number of Spuds to earn three MSHSL State medals in a career. Seniors CeCe Bedore and Leif Carlson will aim to join McKenzie Bedore, Krista Costin, Nina Grollman, Emily Hagenson, Sophia Klindt, Izzy Larson, Auna Lee, Katherine Leiseth, Devon Solwold, Clay Schwartzwalter, and Matt Wisenden on this list.

106 - Total medals earned by Moorhead since winning their first of seven straight State titles in 2016, most in Minnesota. In that span, Apple Valley has won 76, Eagan 70, Eastview, 62, and Lakeville North, 54. 

19 - The number of Spud State Champions since 2016, most in Minnesota over the last seven State Tournaments. Apple Valley, Eagan, and Eastview each have ten champions in that span. 

260 - The number of total medals earned in team history, third most all-time in Class AA (Apple Valley, 441; Eagan 348). 

42 - The number of years since the last gold medal in Oratory (Deb Shands, 1982).

20 - The MSHSL record for medals in a single tournament, claimed by Eagan in 2007. Moorhead sits alone in second place on that list with 19 (2015) and is one of only two teams in the field that can break the record. 

4 - The number of Spuds to win multiple gold medals (Izzy Larson, 2016-2018; Devon Solwold, 2016 & 2017; Matt Wisenden, 2013 & 2014; Andrew Pezalla, 1997 & 1999). Senior Leif Carlson will aim for his second state championship in Prose after winning in Drama last year. 

0 - The number of times Moorhead has won the same event three years in a row. The Spuds will have a chance to three-peat in Humor and Poetry this season.

ST. CLOUD, Minn. - Eleven Spuds earned section titles and a total of 26 speakers placed in the top three as Moorhead took home the Section 8AA team title for a record-setting 29th consecutive season. Seniors Nikolas Dahmen (Discussion), CeCe Bedore (Drama), Macy Larson (Great Speeches), Karena Christenson (Inform), and Leif Carlson (Prose), juniors Menkayla Kruah & Luc duCharme (Duo), Ashlyn Kanuch (Humor), Sam Schaefer (Oratory), and Evan Froslie (Storytelling), sophomore Davie Judd (Poetry), and freshman Miriam Culloton (Creative) all took home top honors. Larson also becomes the tenth Spud to reach State four times in a career. Bedore, Carlson, and Christenson, along with junior Eleanor Culloton (Inform), will all make their third State appearance. In total, 37 Spuds reached section finals and earned medals. 

A full list of sections participants, finalists, and qualifiers is below. 

The 2024 MSHSL Class AA State Tournament will be held at Shakopee HS on Saturday, April 20 with rounds starting at 10:15 am. Finals are slated to begin at 3:30 pm with awards commencing at approximately 5:30 pm. Moorhead is vying for its eighth straight team championship. 

BAXTER, Minn. - The Spuds claimed seven of the eight championship medals and a team-record 20 in total will vie for the National final round stage in June at the 2024 NSDA National Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa. Junior Ashlyn Kanuch (Humor, Duo with junior Sam Schaefer) double championed while seniors Leif Carlson (Drama), Karena Christenson (Inform), Ava Sticka-Jacobs (IX), and CeCe Bedore (POI), and sophomore Larkyn Kellen (USX) also took top honors. In all, Moorhead racked up 28 qualifier plaques and 29 entries reached final rounds. Moorhead was also named speech and overall district sweepstakes team champions.

A full list of participants and qualifiers is below. 

The Spuds now turn to the State level and their defense of the section 8AA crown, one held by Moorhead for the past 28 seasons. 42 speakers will look to earn their way to State on Friday, April 5 in St. Cloud. 

2023 Northern Lights NSDA Qualifiers:

Drama: 

Leif Carlson - Champion (Will compete in POI)

Emma Andersen - 2nd (Will compete in OO)

CeCe Bedore - 3rd (Will compete in POI)

Menkayla Kruah - 4th (Will compete in Duo)

Duo: 

Ashlyn Kanuch & Sam Schaefer - Champions (Will compete in HI/OO)

Lucie Swanson & Evan Froslie - 2nd (Qualified)

Sienna Lee & Ubin Kim - 3rd (Qualified)

Menkayla Kruah & Luc duCharme - 4th (Qualified)

Humor:

Ashlyn Kanuch - Champion (Qualified)

Allie Skauge - 2nd (Qualified)

Evan Froslie - 3rd (Will compete in Duo)

Jack Simon - 5th (1st Alternate)

Inform:

Karena Christenson - Champion (Auto-Qualified)

Eleanor Culloton - 2nd (Auto-Qualified)

Peyton Mestery - 5th (Qualified)

Elodia Eidsmoe - 7th (2nd Alternate)

International Extemp. Speaking: 

Ava Sticka-Jacobs - Champion (Qualified)

Elise Halvorson - 2nd (Qualified)

Sam Rein-Strutz - 3rd (Will compete in USX)

Oratory:

Sam Schaefer - 2nd (Qualified)

Emma Andersen - 3rd (Qualified)

Elise Halvorson - 5th (Will compete in IX)

Peyton Mestery - Semifinalist 

POI:

CeCe Bedore - Champion (Qualified)

Leif Carlson - 2nd (Qualified)

Tim Gabbard - 3rd (Qualified)

Lucie Swanson - 4th (Will compete in Duo)

US Extemp. Speaking: 

Larkyn Kellen - Champion (Will compete in Public Forum)

Jinu Lee - 2nd (Qualified)

Sam Rein-Strutz - 4th (Qualified) 

PHOENIX, Ariz. - In a season that included individual and team victories at Harvard, State, and NIETOC, the Spuds saved their most thrilling championship for last. Nearly nine years to the day from the team's first national title, Moorhead is once again bringing home the top prize in Duo. 

"Never Swim Alone" is alone no more. Meet "Bat Boy." 

In their second straight final round appearance, seniors Olivia Dahlberg and Greta Homuth captured the title, while teammates CeCe Bedore and Jack Nichol also made the stage for the second time, taking 5th place. 

In Informative Speaking, junior Karena Christenson was named National Runner-up while teammate, sophomore Eleanor Culloton, earned 4th place in her first nationals appearance. 

In all, three Duos finished in the top eight, two Informers in the top four and a total of thirteen entries reached elimination rounds, adding up to a record-setting week for the Spuds at the 2023 NSDA National Tournament in Phoenix/Mesa. 

Senior Finn Larson and duo partner, junior Leif Carlson, reached semifinals and finished in 8th place while senior Chase Schmidt just missed the final round in Storytelling, earning 7th place. Sophomore Ashlyn Kanuch advanced to quarterfinals in Humor, concluding a spectacular season that included the Harvard final round and a trip to State. 

Seniors Tate Horan (Humor), India Carlson (POI), and Hameedah Oladele (Oratory), and sophomores Luc duCharme (Drama) and Sam Schaefer (Oratory) all broke to octofinals (top 60). Horan also advanced to quarterfinals in Prose. 

In Public Forum Debate, senior Emily Walker and partner, junior Layla Eisenzimmer, broke through to elimination rounds while teammate, junior Macy Larson, took seven of twelve ballots in Lincoln-Douglas. 

The combination of speech and debate points was more than enough for the Spuds to earn the School of Outstanding Distinction Award, the highest tournament honor recognizing the top 10 programs in the country. It's the second time in four years that Moorhead has received this award. 

The full results packet can be found here and round-by-round results can be found here. The updated team National Tournament Record Book can be found here. 

Nationals by the numbers: 

20 - The number of NSDA national finalists in team history. The Spuds have had at least one entry reach finals in five of the last six national tournaments. 

98 - The number of Spuds to reach elimination rounds in main speech and debate events since 2011. Moorhead has advanced at least four speakers to out-rounds in each of the last 12 National Tournaments and at least six have reached out-rounds in each of the last 8 National Tournaments. 

2 - The number of School of Outstanding Distinction Awards in team history. Moorhead has earned a top 10 overall or top 20 speech team award every year since 2013.

3 - Moorhead has advanced at least three entries to semifinals or finals in seven of the last eight tournaments. 

12 - The number of Spuds to reach elimination rounds three times at Nationals. With their final round appearances this year, Greta Homuth, Olivia Dahlberg, CeCe Bedore, and Jack Nichol join Jessica Anderson, Ariana Grollman, Nina Grollman, Maret Holm, Carl Hulden, Anna Larson, Izzy Larson, and Andrea Lichtsinn on this list.

5 - The number of Spuds to reach semifinals and/or finals three times in their career. Prior to this year, only three-time National finalist Nina Grollman achieved this feat. Now, Seniors Greta Homuth, Olivia Dahlberg, and Jack Nichol and junior CeCe Bedore join her on this exclusive list. 

4 - The number of times Moorhead has had two finalists in the same event (Duo in 2023 and 2022; Inform in 2023 and 2018). 

CHANHASSEN, Minn. - Greta Homuth won her second national circuit tournament of the season in Humor, Jack Nichol double-finaled in POI and Duo, and Hameedah Oladele quarterfinaled (Drama), semifinaled (POI, 9th), and finaled (Oratory, 2nd), leading the Spuds to their first Act III Team Sweepstakes championship at the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions, held in person for the first time in four years. 

Senior Tate Horan (Humor) and junior Karena Christenson (Inform) finished in third place, while the duo of Finn Larson & Leif Carlson placed 4th. Nichol took 5th in POI and placed 6th in Duo with CeCe Bedore. Homuth also reached semifinals with duo partner Olivia Dahlberg and placed 9th, while sophomore Ashlyn Kanuch placed 11th in Humor. 

In addition to Oladele in Drama, Bedore (POI), Dahlberg (Humor), Larson (POI), and Kanuch with duo partner Sam Schaefer all advanced to quarterfinals (top 30). India Carlson (POI), Andrina Rockstad (Oratory), Elise Halvorson (Oratory), Leif Carlson (Drama), and Finn Larson (Drama), all cracked the top 60 Octafinal round. 

In all, 20 entries broke to elimination rounds, 15 reached quarterfinals, ten made semifinals, and seven finaled, all shattering team records. The Spuds set new best-finish marks in Humor and Inform and matched program-best finishes in Oratory and Duo.

Full tournament results can be found here. 

With the season that started at Chanhassen HS now coming full circle, the team now looks ahead to Phoenix and the NSDA National Tournament next month. 19 Spuds will suit up one last time with all eyes set on the final round stage. 

By the Numbers: 

9 - This is the 9th time the Spuds have competed at NIETOC. Their first time was also the last time the competition was held in Minnesota (St. Peter, 2014). That year, Moorhead won the Act II team sweepstakes award.

4 - The total sweepstakes points margin between Moorhead and runners-up Apple Valley for the Act III title. Apple Valley began with 43 entries to Moorhead's 27. 

21 - The number of NIETOC finalists in program history. In their previous eight tournament appearances, the Spuds had a total of 14 finalists. 

3 - The number of Spuds to double-final at NIETOC. Jack Nichol joins Harrison Timm (Drama, Duet - 2021) and Matt Wisenden (Drama, Duo - 2014) on this list. 

3 - The number of times Moorhead has had two speakers reach finals in the same event. Prior to the tournament, the Spuds had accomplished this feat once (Drama, 2014). They did it in Duo and Humor this year. 

APPLE VALLEY, Minn. - As the clock struck midnight --literally and metaphorically -- on the 2023 season, the Spuds were once again the last team standing, earning their seventh straight MSHSL Class AA State Championship. Seniors Tate Horan (Humor), Finn Larson (Poetry), and Chase Schmidt (Storytelling), and junior Leif Carlson (Drama) all claimed gold medals while seniors Amelia Bailly (Poetry), Olivia Dahlberg & Greta Homuth (Duo), and Andrina Rockstad (Great Speeches) earned runner-up honors. It's the first state medal for both Schmidt and Dahlberg and the second career medal for Horan, Larson, Carlson, Bailly, Homuth, and Rockstad.

In a near-repeat performance from last year, Moorhead took home 17 medals in total, fourth most at a single tournament in MSHSL history. The Spuds now have 34 State Champions and 260 team medals. 

Senior Hameedah Oladele (Oratory) finished in third place for her second straight medal and junior Maya Weiler took 6th in Drama for her second career medal. 

Finalists earning their first state medal include seniors Sergio Guerrero (Creative, 5th), and Nona Harrison (Storytelling, 6th), juniors Karena Christenson (Informative, 3rd), and Macy Larson (Great Speeches, 3rd), and sophomores Luc duCharme (Prose, 7th), Sam Schaefer (Oratory, 7th), Elise Halvorson (Great Speeches, 8th), and Evan Froslie (Storytelling, 8th). 

Full tournament results can be found here. 

In Great Speeches and Storytelling, all three entries reached finals, making it seven times in team history that three entries earned medals in the same event (Duo, 2013; Prose, 2018 and 2010; Humor, 2021; Drama 2022). Consecutive medal streaks were also extended in Duo and Poetry (12 straight years), and Drama, Great Speeches, and Prose (8 years). 

Prior to the tournament, the Spuds had won back-to-back gold medals in the same event just twice (Duo in 2016 and 2017, Prose in 2017 and 2018). With gold medals this year from Horan and Larson, Moorhead has now gone back-to-back in Humor and Poetry. 

Additionally, sophomore Elise Halvorson competed concurrently online in the NSDA Last Chance Qualifier Tournament and, after six rounds and nearly 200 competitors, finished in the top 16 in Oratory and qualified for the 2023 NSDA National Tournament. 

With the Minnesota season now complete, 18 Spuds will look ahead to NIETOC in two weeks and Nationals next month in Phoenix, AZ. 

By the numbers:

34 - The Spuds now have 34 MSHSL State Champions, moving them ahead of Eastview for sixth place all time. 

1-2 - After finishing first and second in Great Speeches and Humor last season, the Spuds did it again in Poetry this year. Including the first time it happened in Prose (2018), Moorhead has now gone 1-2 four times in the last five State Tournaments. 

1-2 - With his championship in Humor and their runner-up finishes in Duo and Great Speeches, seniors Tate Horan, Greta Homuth, and Andrina Rockstad join Nina Grollman and Annie Cameron as the only Spuds to hold first and second place State medals. Last year, Horan finished in 2nd place in Humor while Homuth and Rockstad won Humor and Great Speeches, respectively. 

11111 - The final round score for senior Finn Larson, "picket fencing" poetry just like senior Anika Drees did last season and his sister, Izzy Larson, did as a senior in 2018. 

10 - The Spuds have earned at least one gold medal in each of the last ten State Tournaments. Chase Schmidt's win is also the first Storytelling gold in six years (McKensie Bedore, 2017) and second in program history. 

11 - Moorhead has earned ten or more medals in each of the last eleven State Tournaments. 

106 - Total medals earned by Moorhead since winning their first of seven straight State titles in 2016, most in Minnesota. In that span, Apple Valley has won 76, Eagan 70, Eastview, 62, and Lakeville North, 54. 

19 - The number of Spud State Champions since 2016, most in Minnesota over the last seven State Tournaments. Apple Valley, Eagan, and Eastview each have ten champions in that span. 

260 - The number of total medals earned in team history, third most all-time in Class AA (Apple Valley, 441; Eagan 348). 

MOORHEAD, Minn. - After nearly 2,700 individual rounds of competition and more than 4,200 miles traveled, the long road to State is about to lead to its final destination. 

After wrapping up a record 28th consecutive section championship on April 12, Moorhead enters the 2023 State Tournament aiming for its seventh straight team title. Their 25 entries lead all schools and the Spuds are just one of two teams (Eagan) to qualify at least one entry in all 13 MSHSL events. 

Leading the way for Moorhead is senior Tate Horan who is competing in his fourth State Tournament, becoming just the eighth Spud to accomplish that feat. Although the 2020 tournament was cancelled, Horan entered in the MSCA Online Year-End Tournament as a freshman, earning an honorary star. 

Five Spuds are making their third appearance at State, including seniors Greta Homuth and Olivia Dahlberg (Duo), and Amelia Bailly (Poetry), and juniors Macy Larson (Great Speeches) and Maya Weiler (Drama). 

Seven more Spuds are making their second appearance at State, including seniors Finn Larson (Poetry), Andrina Rockstad (Great Speeches), Chase Schmidt (Storytelling), and Hameedah Oladele (Oratory), juniors Karena Christenson (Inform) and Leif Carlson (Drama), and sophomore Eleanor Culloton (Inform). 

The remaining entries are all making their first trip to State: Seniors Sergio Guerrero (Creative), Jeana Lee (Creative), Olivia Kelly (Discussion), and Nona Harrison (Storytelling); juniors Nikolas Dahmen (Discussion) and Emma Andersen (Ex. Reading); sophomores Jinu Lee (Ex. Speaking), Elise Halvorson (Great Speeches), Ashlyn Kanuch (Humor), Sam Schaefer (Oratory), Luc duCharme (Prose), and Evan Froslie (Storytelling); and freshman Davie Judd (Drama).

The tournament will be held this Friday, April 28 at Eastview HS with preliminary rounds starting at 4:15 pm. Finals are scheduled for 9:15 pm. Awards will be live-streamed on Twitter @SpudSpeech and on NSPN.TV beginning around 10:45 pm. More information about the tournament can be found on Speechwire. For schematics and round-by-round information, go to StateSpeech.com. The full tournament program can be found here.

State Tournament Roster:

Creative Ex: Sergio Guerrero, Jeana Lee

Discussion: Olivia Kelly, Nikolas Dahmen

Drama: Leif Carlson, Davie Judd, Maya Weiler

Duo: Greta Homuth & Olivia Dahlberg

Ex. Reading: Emma Andersen

Ex. Speaking: Jinu Lee

Great Speeches: Macy Larson, Andrina Rockstad, Elise Halvorson

Humor: Tate Horan, Ashlyn Kanuch

Inform: Karena Christenson, Eleanor Culloton

Oratory: Hameedah Oladele, Sam Schaefer

Poetry: Finn Larson, Amelia Bailly

Prose: Luc duCharme

Storytelling: Chase Schmidt, Evan Froslie, Nona Harrison

By the numbers:

30 - The Spuds have 30 MSHSL State Champions, tied for sixth place all-time with Eastview. 

243 - The total number of medals earned in team history, third most all-time in Class AA (1. Apple Valley, 429; 2. Eagan, 340). 

25 - The number of Moorhead entries at this year's tournament. Eagan has the second most entries at 24. Wayzata is third with 17 and Stillwater is fourth with 15. Apple Valley has 13 entries and Eastview and Owatonna each have 11. 

2 - Two Spuds, Greta Homuth and Andrina Rockstad, return to State in search of a second straight State championship. Rockstad will look to defend her title in Great Speeches while Homuth won in Humor last year and will look to take gold in Duo with partner Olivia Dahlberg.

41 - The number of years since the last gold medal in Oratory (Deb Shands, 1982), the longest drought in team history. Greta Homuth ended the second-longest drought of nine years in Humor with her championship last season. 

10 and 10 - The Spuds will look to make it ten straight years with at least one gold medal. Moorhead has also earned ten or more medals in each of the last ten State Tournaments. 

20 - The MSHSL record for medals in a single tournament, claimed by Eagan in 2007. Moorhead sits alone in second place on that list with 19 (2015) and is one of only two teams in the field that can break the record. 

BAXTER, Minn. - Nine Spuds earned section titles and a total of 26 speakers placed in the top three as Moorhead took home the Section 8AA team title for a record-setting 28th consecutive season. Seniors Sergio Guerrero (Creative), Olivia Kelly (Discussion), Tate Horan (Humor), Hameedah Oladele (Oratory), Finn Larson (Poetry), and Chase Schmidt (Storytelling), and juniors Macy Larson (Great Speeches), Karena Christenson (Inform), and Leif Carlson (Drama) all earned top honors. Horan also becomes the ninth Spud to reach State four times in a career. Macy Larson, along with Greta Homuth and Olivia Dahlberg (Duo), Maya Weiler (Drama), and Amelia Bailly (Poetry) will all make their third State appearance. In total, 40 Spuds reached section finals and earned medals. 

A full list of sections participants, finalists, and qualifiers is below. 

In all, the Spuds will send 25 entries to State, most in Minnesota. Moorhead and Eagan are the only schools to have at least one speaker in all 13 events. 

The 2023 MSHSL Class AA State Tournament will be held at Eastview HS on Friday, April 28 with rounds starting after 4 pm. Finals are slated to begin at 9:15 pm with awards commencing at approximately 11 pm. Moorhead is vying for its seventh straight team championship. 

MOORHEAD, Minn. - An incoming winter storm has stalled plans for the 8AA section tournament, which was to be held in Brainerd on Friday, March 31. The postponement means the Spuds will have to wait until Wednesday, April 12 to defend their section title. More tournament information can be found here. 

The following speakers are slated to compete at sections: 

MOORHEAD, Minn. - Moorhead speakers claimed seven of the eight championship medals and 17 in total will vie for the National final round stage in June at the 2023 NSDA National Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona. Seniors Tate Horan (Humor, Drama) and Finn Larson (POI, DUO with junior Leif Carlson) both double championed while senior Hameedah Oladele (Oratory), junior Karena Christenson (Inform), and freshman Larkyn Kellen (IX) also took top honors. Additionally, duos Greta Homuth & Olivia Dahlberg and CeCe Bedore & Jack Nichol already punched their tickets to Nats with auto-qualification. Oladele also had an auto-qual but competed in both Oratory and POI last weekend, earning plaques in both events. 

A full list of participants and qualifiers is below. 

The Spuds now turn to the State level and their defense of the section 8AA crown, one held by Moorhead for the past 27 seasons. 42 speakers will look to earn their way to State on Friday, March 31 in Brainerd. 

2023 Northern Lights NSDA Qualifiers:

Drama: 

Tate Horan - Champion (Will compete in Humor)

Leif Carlson - 2nd (Will compete in Duo)

Luc duCharme - 4th (Qualified)

Maya Weiler - 1st Alternate 

Duo: 

Finn Larson & Leif Carlson - Champions

Ashlyn Kanuch & Sam Schaefer - 2nd (will compete in HI and OO)

CeCe Bedore & Jack Nichol - Auto-Qual

Greta Homuth & Olivia Dahlberg - Auto-Qual

Humor:

Tate Horan - Champion

Ashlyn Kanuch - 3rd (Qualified)

Evan Froslie - 1st Alternate

Luc duCharme - Semifinalist (Will compete in Drama)

Inform:

Karena Christenson - Champion

Eleanor Culloton - 2nd (Qualified)

Maya Weiler - 2nd Alternate

Harper Wilson - Semifinalist 

Extemp. Speaking: 

Larkyn Kellen - Champion (IX)

Jinu Lee - 3rd (USX - Qualified)

Elise Halvorson - 1st Alternate

Oratory:

Hameedah Oladele - Champion (Auto-Qual)

Sam Schaefer - 2nd (Qualified)

Emma Andersen - 4th (Qualified)

Elise Halvorson - 1st Alternate

POI:

Finn Larson - Champion (Will compete in Duo)

India Carlson - 2nd (Qualified)

Hameedah Oladele - 3rd (Will compete in Oratory)

Lucie Swanson - Finalist 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - For the past two years, the NSDA final round stage was confined to a Zoom window, audiences separated by a many miles and a mute button, and awards later dropped in the mail. But last week in Louisville's Freedom Hall, five Spuds swapped screen time for stage time, performing for thousands as the National Tournament made its long-awaited return to in-person competition. 

They savored every moment.

Senior captains Ingrid Rygg and Charlie Maki capped their careers on the activity's biggest stage, and juniors Greta Homuth, Olivia Dahlberg, and Finn Larson joined them in those final rounds, the most for Moorhead at a single Nationals. Rygg finished in 5th place in Informative while in Duo, Homuth and Dahlberg took 4th and Maki and Larson took 5th, marking the second time in five years that two entries reached finals in the same event (Lance Morlock and Anna Larson, Info - 2018). 

Additionally, four Spuds advanced to the semifinals, including senior Martan Gregoire (POI - 9th), and juniors Hameedah Oladele (Oratory - 10th), and CeCe Bedore and Jack Nichol (DUO - 13th). All five juniors have also earned auto-qualification to the 2023 NSDA National Tournament in Phoenix, AZ. For Homuth, it will be her fourth Nationals, a team record. 

Team records were also shattered earlier in the tournament as thirteen Spuds not only advanced to elimination rounds but cleared to quarterfinals. Seniors Harrison Timm (Drama) and Anika Drees (POI), junior Tate Horan (Humor) and sophomore Karena Christenson (Inform) all finished in the top 30 in the nation. It's the first time Moorhead has hit double digits for quarterfinalists and the six entries to crack the top 14 is also a team record. 

As a team, Moorhead competed in 121 rounds of competition and scored 135 sweepstakes points, both tops in the nation. The Spuds were awarded their eleventh Speech School of Excellence Award. It's the tenth straight year the team has earned a school award.

Full results can be found here.

Nationals by the numbers: 

16 - The number of NSDA national finalists in team history. The Spuds have had at least one entry reach finals in four of the last five tournaments. 

87 - The number of Spuds to reach elimination rounds since 2011. Moorhead has advanced at least four speakers to out-rounds in each of the last 12 National Tournaments. 

11 - The number of Speech School of Excellence Awards, honoring the top 20 speech schools in the nation. Moorhead has earned a team award every year since 2013, including a top 10 School of Outstanding Distinction in 2020. 

3 - Moorhead has advanced at least three entries to semifinals or finals in six of the last seven tournaments. 

1 - The number of Spuds to reach nationals four times. Junior Greta Homuth punched her ticket to Nats '23 after reaching finals with duo partner Olivia Dahlberg. Homuth will be the first Spud to achieve this feat. 

3 - After advancing three orators to semifinals total through 2019, the Spuds now have had an orator in semifinals or finals in each of the last three National Tournaments. 

8 - The number of Spuds to reach semifinals and finals separately in their career. Juniors Greta Homuth, Olivia Dahlberg, and Jack Nichol and sophomore CeCe Bedore join Nina Grollman, Ariana Grollman, Anna Larson, and Grace Halvorson on this exclusive list. 

APPLE VALLEY, Minn. - Seniors Ingrid Rygg (Informative) and Anika Drees (Poetry), and juniors Greta Homuth (Humor) and Andrina Rockstad (Great Speeches) all claimed gold medals while seniors Sophie Schulz (Drama) and Martan Gregoire (Great Speeches), and junior Tate Horan (Humor) earned runner-up honors, leading the Spuds to their sixth straight MSHSL Class AA State Championship on Friday evening at Eastview HS. 

Moorhead took home 18 medals in total, third most at a single tournament in MSHSL history. The team's 98 sweepstakes points also set a program and league record since the addition of the team trophy in 2016. 

Junior Jack Nichol and duo partner, sophomore CeCe Bedore, finished in third place for their second straight state medal. Senior Harrison Timm took 4th in Prose for his second medal, and Drees and Gregoire also picked up their second medals. 

Finalists earning their first state medal include seniors Lydia Horan & Mya Pfeifer (Duo, 4th), Charlie Maki (Drama, 4th), Emily Swenson (Creative, 7th), and Jordan Jensen (Prose, 7th), and juniors Amelia Bailly (Poetry, 4th), Hameedah Oladele (Oratory, 4th), Ethan Larson (Creative, 5th), Finn Larson (Drama, 5th), and India Carlson (Oratory, 7th). 

Full tournament results can be found here. 

In Drama, all three entries reached finals. It's just the fifth time in team history that three entries earned medals in the same event (Duo, 2013; Prose, 2018 and 2010; Humor 2021). Consecutive medal streaks were also extended in Duo and Poetry (11 straight years), and Drama, Great Speeches, and Prose (7 years). 

Additionally, senior Scout Holding Eagle-Bushaw was named to the 2022 MSCA All-State Team, one of only 114 students in the state to receive this prestigious honor. In addition to competing for four years on the Moorhead Speech team, Scout also serves as a category captain and is a two-time State qualifier, earning third place in Discussion in 2021. 

With the Minnesota season now complete, fourteen Spuds will look ahead to Nationals, held June 13-17 in Louisville, KY. 

By the numbers:

30 - The Spuds now have 30 MSHSL State Champions, moving them into a tie for sixth place all-time with Eastview. 

1-2 - Prior to this season, the Spuds had finished first and second in the same event only once (Prose, 2018). They accomplished this feat twice in 2022 (Great Speeches, Humor). 

4 & 3 - Moorhead has won four of the last seven state titles in Informative. The Spuds also have three of the last five state champions in Great Speeches. 

11111 - The final round score for Anika Drees, the first Spud to "picket fence" a State final round since Izzy Larson did it, also in Poetry and also as a senior, in 2018. 

9 - The Spuds have earned at least one gold medal in each of the last nine State Tournaments. Greta Homuth's win is also the first Humor gold in nine years (Nina Grollman, 2013)

10 - The Spuds have earned ten or more medals in each of the last ten State Tournaments. 

89 - Total medals earned by Moorhead since winning their first of six straight State titles in 2016, most in Minnesota. In that span, Apple Valley has won 64 medals, Eagan 62, Eastview 54, and Lakeville North 50.

15 - The number of Spud State Champions since 2016, most in Minnesota over the last six State Tournaments. Eagan has ten champions in the span, Eastview has nine and Apple Valley has eight.

243 - The number of total medals earned in team history, third most all time in Class AA (1. Apple Valley, 429; Eagan, 340).

MOORHEAD, Minn. - The 2022 season has largely been a return to normal. Sure, part of the year included wearing masks in rounds and on the bus, but there were bus rides again, hotel stays, and in-person performances. With the peak of the pandemic hopefully in the rear view mirror, the Spuds have largely returned to familiar territory. 

Except for this Friday's tournament. 

For all but two of Moorhead's 29 State Tournament qualifiers, this will be their first live, in-person State Tournament, an experience that was cancelled in 2020 and moved online last year. 

Call it the last in a long series of returns to normal.

Moorhead enters the 2022 State Tournament aiming for its sixth straight team title. Their 27 entries lead all schools and matches a team record set in 2018 and repeated last year. The Spuds have at least one entry in 12 of the 13 events, more than any other program at the tournament. 

Leading the way for Moorhead is senior Anika Drees who is competing in her fourth State Tournament, becoming just the seventh Spud to accomplish that feat. Although the 2020 tournament was cancelled, Drees entered in the MSCA Online Year-End Tournament. Drees and classmate Mya Pfeifer are the only Spuds in the tournament field who participated in the last in-person State competition in 2019. As freshmen, Drees (Humor) and Pfeifer (Poetry) both qualified but did not reach final rounds. This year, Drees will compete in Poetry while Pfeifer will team up with duo partner Lydia Horan.

Sixteen Spuds are making a repeat appearance at State, including seniors Scout Holding Eagle-Bushaw (Discussion), Harrison Timm (Prose), Martan Gregoire (Great Speeches), Ingrid Rygg (Inform), Olivia Larson (Poetry),  and Jordan Jensen (Prose), juniors Ethan Larson (Creative), Tate Horan (Humor), Greta Homuth (Humor), Olivia Dahlberg (Humor), Jack Nichol (Duo), India Carlson (Oratory), and Amelia Bailly (Poetry), and sophomores CeCe Bedore (Duo), Maya Weiler (Oratory), and Macy Larson (Great Speeches). 

Timm was the lone gold medalist for Moorhead last year (Drama) and will look to repeat as State champion, this time in Prose. Holding Eagle-Bushaw, Gregoire, Olivia Larson, Bedore, Nichol, Weiler, and Drees all earned medals in 2021. 

The remaining entries are all making their first trip to State: Seniors Emily Swenson (Creative), Lydia Horan (Duo), Sophie Schulz (Drama), Charlie Maki (Drama), and Kolton Doucette (Ex. Reading), juniors Finn Larson (Drama), Andrina Rockstad (Great Speeches), Chase Schmidt (Storytelling), and Hameedah Oladele (Oratory), sophomore Karena Christenson (Inform), and freshman Eleanor Culloton (Inform).

The tournament begins on Friday, April 22 at Eastview HS with preliminary rounds starting at 10:15 am. Finals are scheduled for 3:30 pm. Awards will be live-streamed on Twitter @SpudSpeech beginning around 5:30 pm. More information about the tournament can be found on Speechwire. For schematics and round-by-round information, go to StateSpeech.com. The full tournament program can be found here.

State Tournament Roster:

Creative Ex: Ethan Larson, Emily Swenson

Discussion: Scout Holding Eagle-Bushaw

Drama: Sophie Schulz, Charlie Maki, Finn Larson

Duo: Mya Pfeifer & Lydia Horan, CeCe Bedore & Jack Nichol

Ex. Reading: Kolton Doucette

Great Speeches: Martan Gregoire, Andrina Rockstad, Macy Larson

Humor: Greta Homuth, Olivia Dahlberg, Tate Horan

Inform: Ingrid Rygg, Karena Christenson, Eleanor Culloton

Oratory: India Carlson, Hameedah Oladele, Maya Weiler

Poetry:  Olivia Larson, Anika Drees, Amelia Bailly

Prose: Harrison Timm, Jordan Jensen

Storytelling: Chase Schmidt 

By the numbers:

225 - The number of total medals earned in team history, third most all time in Class AA (1. Apple Valley, 419; Eagan, 335). 

26 - The number of State Champions in program history, tied for seventh most all time with Marshall and Mankato Loyola and two shy of Eastview. 

 27 - The number of Moorhead entries at this year's tournament. Woodbury has the second-most entries at 17. Wayzata is in third with 13 and Eastview is fourth with eleven. Apple Valley, Eagan, and Duluth East will each field ten entries at State. 

40 - The number of years since the last gold medal in Oratory (Deb Shands, 1982), the longest drought in team history. It has been nine years since the last championship in Creative (Annie Cameron) and Humor (Nina Grollman). 

1994 - The last year Moorhead did not advance a speaker to a final round. Since 1995, the Spuds have earned 215 medals. 

8 - The Spuds have earned at least one gold medal in each of the last eight State Tournaments.

9 - The Spuds have earned ten or more medals in each of the last nine State Tournaments. 

20 - The MSHSL record for medals in a single tournament, claimed by Eagan in 2007. Moorhead sits alone in second place on that list with 19 (2015) and is the only team in the 2022 field that can break this record. 

71 - Total medals earned by Moorhead since winning their first of five straight State titles in 2016, most in Minnesota. In that span, Eagan has won 57 medals, Apple Valley 54, Lakeville North 46 and Eastview 43.

11 - The number of Spud State Champions since 2016, most in Minnesota over the last five State Tournaments. Eagan has eight champions in the span and Apple Valley and Eastview each have seven. 

BAXTER, Minn. - Six categories swept. Ten individual champions. Twenty-nine speakers headed to State. Twenty-seven straight Section 8AA Championships. 

No foolin'. 

This April Fool's Day was one for the record books as the Spuds successfully defended their section crown and matched last year's program record of 27 entries qualified to the MSHSL State Tournament. 

Section championships were earned in ten of the thirteen events while 36 entires medaled. The Spuds claimed all three spots in Drama, Great Speeches, Humor, Inform, Oratory, and Poetry. 

A full list of participants, finalists, and State qualifiers can be found below. 

The Spuds will now suit up again on Monday as they host their annual showcase, "Shut up and Say Something" at 7pm in the High School Auditorium. It's the first in-person community performance for the team in three years. Looking ahead, Moorhead will enter the state tournament with the most total entries and at least one speaker in twelve of the thirteen events. The Spuds are vying for their sixth consecutive State title. The 2022 MSHSL State Tournament will be held in person for the first time since 2019 at Eastview High School on Friday, April 22. 

MOORHEAD, Minn. - The Moorhead Spuds Speech Team spent their entire 2021 season competing virtually from Horizon Middle School. Last week, they returned to those familiar confines while hosting the Northern Lights National Qualifier, the first in-person district speech tournament in three years. 

Junior Greta Homuth led the way for Moorhead, earning top honors in both humor and duo (with partner Olivia Dahlberg). Seniors Harrison Timm (Drama), Ingrid Rygg (Inform), Anika Drees (POI), and junior Hameedah Oladele (Oratory) also claimed first place finishes. 

Along with Homuth, Dahlberg, and Drees, the duo of CeCe Bedore and Jack Nichol also competed and qualified although they had all already earned auto-qualification bids. Bedore and Nichol took 5th place at last year's National Tournament. 

A full list of qualifiers is listed below. 

The Spuds will now turn their focus back to Minnesota as they prepare to defend their 26-consecutive Section 8AA team titles. 42 speakers will look to earn a trip to the MSHSL State Tournament when they compete in Brainerd on Friday, April 1. 

2022 Northern Lights NSDA Qualifiers:

Drama: 

Harrison Timm - Champion

Finn Larson (Will compete in Duo)

Charlie Maki (Will compete in Duo)

Hameedah Oladele (Will compete in Oratory)

Duo:

Greta Homuth & Olivia Dahlberg - Champions

Charlie Maki & Finn Larson

CeCe Bedore & Jack Nichol 

Ashlyn Kanuch & Sam Schaefer - Semifinalists, 7th

Humor:

Greta Homuth - Champion (Will compete in Duo)

Tate Horan

Olivia Dahlberg (Will compete in Duo)

Anika Drees (Will compete in POI)

Inform:

Ingrid Rygg - Champion 

Karena Christenson 

Eleanor Culloton - 1st Alternate

Elise Halvorson - 2nd Alternate

Oratory:

Hameedah Oladele - Champion

India Carlson 

Maya Weiler - 1st Alternate 

POI:

Anika Drees - Champion

Martan Gregoire

Ingrid Rygg (Will compete in Inform)

MOORHEAD, Minn. - Two weeks after earning gold at the MSHSL State Tournament, junior Harrison Timm once again finished in first place in Dramatic Interpretation, this time at the 2021 National Individual Events Tournament of Champions. Timm becomes the first NIETOC National Champion in team history. With nearly 1,200 competitors from 290 teams across 35 states, the 2021 NIETOC was one of the largest tournaments in the nation. 

Senior Grace Halvorson also matched her State placement with runner-up honors in Original Oratory while Timm and Duet partner Charlie Maki took third place with their performance of "Whiplash." 

Seniors Maret Holm (Informative), Stella Mehlhoff (Oratory), Thalia Christenson & junior Martan Gregoire (Duo), and first-year speakers CeCe Bedore & Jack Nichol (Duo) all advanced to the semifinal round, the most top-12 finishes in team history. 

Christenson (Informative), Mehlhoff (Drama) and junior Ingrid Rygg (Informative) advanced to the top 30 quarterfinals while Holm (Humor), juniors Anika Drees (POI), and Gregoire (POI), and sophomore Greta Homuth (Humor) broke to the top 60 Octafinal round. The 14 total out-round breaks is also a program record.

Full results can be found here. For NIETOC team records, click here.

The Spuds now shift their focus to the final competition of the season, the NSDA National Tournament. The annual event will be held virtually June 13-19. Follow the team @SpudSpeech on Twitter for updates throughout the week.

MOORHEAD, Minn. - Junior Harrison Timm struck gold in Drama, seniors Maret Holm (Humor) and Grace Halvorson (Oratory) earned runner-up honors, and 13 of their teammates reached final rounds as Moorhead edged Eagan and Eastview in team sweepstakes for their fifth consecutive MSHSL Class AA State Championship. 

The Spuds took home a tournament-best 15 medals, third most in team history. Moorhead now has 225 State medals and 26 State Champions overall. 

A full list of medalists and tournament results are below.

With Timm's first place finish, Moorhead now has earned at least one gold medal in each of the last eight State Tournaments. He is also the first Spud to take the title in Drama since Laurel Mikkelson in 2015. It's the ninth straight year that Moorhead has reached double digits in State medals. 

Junior Scout Holding Eagle-Bushaw took third place in Discussion, the best finish in team history (Joe Cella, 4th - 2014) and first in five years. Additionally, three freshmen advanced to finals: CeCe Bedore (3rd, Duo with Jack Nichol), Maya Weiler (5th, Oratory), and Leif Carlson (8th, Humor). All finalists earned their first career medal.

In Humor, all three entries reached finals. It's just the fourth time in team history that three entries earned medals in the same event (Duo, 2013; Prose, 2018 and 2010). Consecutive medal streaks were also extended in Duo and Poetry (10 straight years), Storytelling (9 years), and Drama, Great Speeches, and Prose (6 years). 

The Minnesota Speech Coaches Association also announced the 2021 All-State Team. Senior captain Thalia Christenson was named one of only 122 students in the state to earn this prestigious honor. In addition to competing for four years on the Moorhead Speech team and reaching state finals in Poetry in 2019, Christenson also serves as a category and team captain and is a two-time NSDA National Qualifier.  

2021 State Medalists:

• 1st - Harrison Timm (Drama)

• 2nd - Grace Halvorson (Oratory)

• 2nd - Maret Holm (Humor)

• 3rd - CeCe Bedore & Jack Nichol (Duo)

• 3rd - Scout Holding Eagle-Bushaw (Discussion)

• 4th - Olivia Larson (Poetry)

• 5th - Martan Gregoire (Great Speeches)

• 5th - Makenzie Stockwell (Storytelling)

• 5th - Maya Weiler (Oratory)

• 6th - Lily Kjos (Drama)

• 6th - Seema Mustafa (Ex. Reading)

• 7th - Greta Cole (Inform)

• 7th - Anika Drees (Humor)

• 7th - Colin Welna (Prose)

• 8th - Leif Carlson (Humor)

For full tournament results, click here.

While the Minnesota season has come to a close, the postseason continues for several Spuds. After a one week break, 17 speakers will compete virtually May 4-8 at NIETOC. More information can be found here.

MOORHEAD, Minn. - The last MSHSL State Speech Tournament was held April 13, 2019. That day, Moorhead earned two gold medals and a fourth straight Class AA Team Championship. Since then, the Spuds have competed at 34 tournaments including in-person and virtual trips to Ft. Lauderdale, Harvard, and Nationals. Trophies were earned proudly, defeats were endured graciously.  Novice careers have blossomed while seniors delivered their final speeches. Now, after 741 days and more than 3,000 individual rounds of competition, the Minnesota contest calendar flips to its final page. 

At long last, the State Tournament is here again.

Vying for their fifth consecutive championship, the Spuds return to State on Friday afternoon with 29 speakers. Their 27 entries match a team record set in 2018 and is the most of any team at this year's contest. Moorhead will compete in 12 of the 13 events, more than any other school. 

Leading the Spuds into the tournament is senior and team captain Stella Mehlhoff who is competing for her third overall medal. As a freshman, Mehlhoff took 7th place in Duo with Greta Almlie and followed up that performance in 2019 with a runner-up finish in Prose. She is the only State competitor in Class AA with two medals already secured. If Mehlhoff can reach finals, she will become the 12th Spud with three medals and just the second in team history to earn them in three different events (Krista Costin: Prose, 2002; Duo, 2003; Drama, 2004). Coincidentally, Mehlhoff will also try to cap her career with a Drama medal. 

Three other Spuds will make their second State Tournament appearance: Seniors Grace Halvorson (Inform, 2018) and Lily Kjos (Creative, 2019) and junior Anika Drees (Humor, 2019). Halvorson will compete in Oratory and Kjos in Drama; Drees will once again compete in Humor.

In 2018, Mehlhoff and Halvorson went to State as 9th graders. In 2019, Drees was the only Spud freshman at State. This year, four freshman will earn their first team star, including CeCe Bedore (Duo with Jack Nichol), Leif Carlson (Humor), Maya Weiler (Oratory), and Macy Larson (Great Speeches). 

Other Spuds advancing to State for the first time include seniors Seema Mustafa (Ex. Reading), Beth Stein (Great Speeches), Maret Holm (Humor), Greta Cole (Inform), Colin Welna (Prose), and Makenzie Stockwell (Storytelling), juniors Scout Holding Eagle-Bushaw (Discussion), Iris Ming (Discussion), Harrison Timm (Drama), Kaylin Patrick (Ex. Reading), Martan Gregoire (Great Speeches), Ingrid Rygg (Inform), Olivia Larson (Poetry), and Jordan Jensen (Prose), and sophomores Ethan Larson (Creative Ex.), Tate Horan (Creative Ex.), Greta Homuth & Olivia Dahlberg (Duo), Jack Nichol (Duo), India Carlson (Oratory), and Amelia Bailly (Poetry). 

The MSHSL Class AA Tournament begins Friday, April 23 with first round draws starting at 3:45 pm. Final rounds begin at 8:30pm with awards scheduled for 10:45 pm. More information about the tournament, including schedules and schematics, can be found on Speechwire.

The full tournament program can be found here. Follow the Spuds on Twitter @SpudSpeech throughout the evening for updates. 

State Tournament Roster:

Creative Ex: Ethan Larson, Tate Horan

Discussion: Scout Holding Eagle-Bushaw, Iris Ming

Drama: Harrison Timm, Stella Mehlhoff, Lily Kjos

Duo: Olivia Dahlberg & Greta Homuth, CeCe Bedore & Jack Nichol

Ex. Reading: Kaylin Patrick, Seema Mustafa

Great Speeches: Martan Gregoire, Beth Stein, Macy Larson

Humor: Maret Holm, Anika Drees, Leif Carlson

Inform: Ingrid Rygg, Greta Cole

Oratory: Grace Halvorson, India Carlson, Maya Weiler

Poetry: Olivia Larson, Amelia Bailly

Prose: Colin Welna, Jordan Jensen

Storytelling: Makenzie Stockwell

By the numbers:

210 - The number of total medals earned in team history, third most all time in Class AA (1. Apple Valley, 410; 2. Eagan, 321).

25  - The number of State Champions in program history, one short of Marshall for 6th place all time. 

27  - The number of Moorhead entries at this year's tournament, six more than Lakeville North, nine more than Wayzata, and ten more than Eagan and Eastview who are tied for fourth most with 17 each. 

0 - The number of gold medals earned in Discussion and Ex. Reading. The best finish in each event is 4th place (Discussion: Joe Cella, 2014; Ex. Reading: Three times, most recently by Megan Duchene in 2017). 

39 - The number of years since the last gold medal in Oratory (Deb Shands, 1982), the longest drought in team history. It has been eight years since the last championship in Creative (Annie Cameron) and Humor (Nina Grollman) and six years in Drama (Laurel Mikkelson). 

1994 - The last year Moorhead did not advance a speaker to a final round. Since 1995, the Spuds have earned 200 medals at state.

7 - The Spuds have earned at least one gold medal in each of the last seven State Tournaments. 

8 - The Spuds have earned 10 or more medals in each of the last eight State Tournaments.

MOORHEAD, Minn. - The Spuds successfully defended their Section 8AA title as 29 speakers qualified for the 2021 MSHSL State Tournament. Moorhead claimed 11 of 13 first place finishes en route to matching the most state qualifying entries in team history (2018). With the top three advancing in each event, the Spuds swept Drama, Great Speeches, Humor, and Oratory.

The full results packet can be found here. Team results are below. 

Moorhead will now prepare for their Class AA title defense. The Spuds have won the team championship at each of the last four State Tournaments. 

MOORHEAD, Minn. - After the entire 2020 MSHSL postseason was canceled due to the pandemic, the Spuds will once again look to defend their Section 8AA and Class AA Titles over the next month. Moorhead has won 25 straight section team championships and all four Class AA MSHSL Team Sweepstakes Awards. 

With no subsection tournament this year, entry numbers are limited for the section tournament. Teams are allowed no more than 39 total entries and five per event. Double entry is not allowed. 

The 8AA Section Tournament will be held on Friday, April 9 with the MSHSL Class AA Tournament scheduled for Friday, April 23. Both contests will be hosted virtually. 

Leading the Spuds is senior Stella Mehlhoff who is vying for her third State Medal. She earned 7th place in Duo in 2018 and 3rd place in Prose in 2019. If she reaches finals in Drama, she will become the twelfth Spud to earn three state medals and just the second to earn three medals in three different events (Krista Costin, 2002-04 in Prose, Drama, and Duo). 

Senior Thalia Christenson is the only other Spud on the sections team with a state medal already secured. She took 6th place in Poetry in 2019 and will compete again in that event. 

Three other Spuds hope to make their second State Tournament appearance: Seniors Grace Halvorson (Inform, 2018) and Lily Kjos (Creative, 2019) and junior Anika Drees (Humor, 2019). 

MOORHEAD, Minn. - When the coronavirus pandemic brought the speech season to a sudden halt last month, students and coaches across the state were left to wait and wonder. Exactly six weeks after the NSDA postponed all district qualifier tournaments, answers finally arrived. 

On Thursday, just moments after Gov. Tim Walz officially extended distance learning for the remainder of the school year, the MSHSL cancelled all spring activities, including the 2020 State Speech Tournament. For the nearly 20 Spud seniors and hundreds more across the state, it means an abrupt end to their careers as well. Moorhead will have to wait another year to defend their four consecutive state titles. 

However, the season will continue for 12 speakers after the Northern Lights District announced their 2020 National qualifiers:

• Drama: Jonah Hanson (1st), Ethan Crompton (4th)

• Duo: Greta Almlie & Stella Mehlhoff (2nd)

• Humor: Maret Holm (1st)

• Inform: Anni Yoney (1st), Thalia Christenson (3rd)

• IX: Emma Pranger (2nd)

• Oratory: Grace Halvorson (1st), Zoe Stein (2nd)

• POI: Charlie Maki (1st), Martan Gregoire (3rd)

The Spuds also won the District Speech and Overall Sweepstakes awards. 

To qualify, district coaches submitted applications highlighting student season and career achievements. The district released an awards ceremony video (above) to announce the results. 

The 2020 NSDA National Tournament will be held entirely online. More information about can be found here. 

MOORHEAD, Minn. - While the fate of the 2020 MSHSL State Tournament is still uncertain, the NSDA announced that the National Tournament, initially scheduled for mid-June in Albuquerque, NM, will be held entirely online with a hybrid of live and recorded performances. 

As a result, districts around the country have developed alternative qualifying methods to determine Nationals participants in lieu of in-person tournaments.

The Spuds, along with other schools in the Northern Lights District, will submit applications to determine qualifiers. The full announcement of 2020 NSDA National Qualifiers will be made on Friday, April 24. 

For more information about the Online National Tournament, CLICK HERE. 

For the latest updates from the MSHSL, CLICK HERE. 

Updated: Thursday, April 16

MOORHEAD, Minn. - The global Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic has brought the 2020 speech season to an abrupt stop, just days before postseason competition was set to begin. The MSHSL has halted all contests and competitions until April 6, and classes, including all after-school activities and practices, are canceled through March 27. The NSDA has suspended all district tournaments until further notice. 

The 2020 NIETOC Tournament has also been canceled. More information can be found here. 

What this means for the MSHSL State Tournament and NSDA National Tournament is still unclear. Neither event has been officially canceled, although updates are expected in the coming weeks. The Spuds were scheduled to compete at the Northern Lights District Speech Qualifier next weekend. That tournament has been postponed while awaiting further directive from the national office. Additionally, the 8AA Section Tournament slated for March 27 is postponed. 

Check back for updates. More information can also be found via the MSHSL and NSDA. 

Updated: Sunday, March 15. 

APPLE VALLEY, Minn. - With more than 1300 entries representing 38 schools from around the state, the Spuds faced arguably their toughest test of the season thus far. And while several veteran speakers turned in another successful Saturday, it was the first and second year Spuds who led the charge, pacing Moorhead to a first place finish in team sweepstakes, their fourth invitational title this year. 

Of the ten top-three finishes on the day, nine were captured in the Open Division, including tournament championships for Jaidyn Edwards (Storytelling), Olivia Larson (Poetry), Sophie Schulz (Drama), and Jordan Jensen & Greta Homuth (Duo). Jensen also took second place in Prose. 

Chase Schmidt & Ethan Riley (Duo), Harrison Timm (Drama), and Mya Pfiefer (Poetry) also earned runner-up honors. 

In the Championship Division, junior Maret Holm finished in second place in Humor, while senior Greta Almlie advanced to out-rounds in three events, finishing in 5th place in duo with partner Stella Mehlhoff; Almlie also took first place in the next-in final round of POI and Drama.

A full list of results can be found here and on our schedule/results page. 

As the calendar flips to March, tournament season is now quickly approaching. Moorhead will split the squad one final time this weekend with speakers competing at Lakeville North and Shakopee, before one final tune-up at Eagan on March 13 ahead of the NSDA National Qualifier and Section 8AA Tournament later this month. 

WOODBURY, Minn. - Junior Ethan Crompton advanced to three final rounds, including his first top finish in Humor this season, as the Spuds narrowly edged Apple Valley for first place in team sweepstakes at the East Ridge Raptor Invitational last Saturday. In addition to winning in Humor, Crompton also took 4th place in Drama and 5th place in Duo with partner Ali Astrup. 

Junior Thalia Christenson, one of 17 Spuds to reach varsity final rounds, earned top honors in Informative Speaking for her first career win at the varsity level. 

In the novice division, Jordan Jensen & Greta Homuth took first place in Duo, while Kolton Doucette took first in Prose. In all, 51 entries competed in an elimination round.

A full list of results can be found here.   

Looking ahead, the national travel team is back on the road this weekend, competing at the Harvard Invitational in Cambridge, MA. Meanwhile, the Spuds will head to Forest Lake for an invitational on Saturday. 

Live out-round announcements and awards will be shared on Twitter @Spudspeech. 

APPLE VALLEY, Minn. - Senior Chelsea Bubbers (Ex. Reading, 3rd place) and junior Grace Halvorson (Oratory, 3rd place) earned their second career apples and seven others picked up their first piece of marble hardware as the Spuds took home runner-up honors at the 2020 Minneapple Tournament. 

Seniors Anni Yoney and Molly Hauf finished first and second, respectively, in Great Speeches, and Zoe Stein was named the champion in Original Oratory. Senior captain Greta Almlie finished in third place in POI. In the novice division, Jordan Jensen and Greta Homuth took first in Duo, while Jacob Rolle took top honors in Drama in his first tournament in that event.

Marble apples are awarded to the top three varsity finalists and the champion in the novice division.

In all, 19 speakers advanced to final rounds. Full results can be found here.

Next on the docket is a full-team trip to Woodbury and the East Ridge Raptor Invitational where the Spuds won the team sweepstakes award last season. Live results will be tweeted @Spudspeech starting Saturday afternoon with awards starting at 4pm.

MARSHALL, Minn. - The 2020 season finally commenced last weekend as two busloads of Spuds made the trek to Marshall for the two-day Speech Spectacular Tournament. After seven rounds of competition, Moorhead took home the team sweepstakes championship for the second straight season. 

Senior category captain Molly Hauf (Great Speeches) claimed first place for the second consecutive year. Cassidy Wendt (Prose), Greta Almlie (POI) and Zoe Stein (Oratory) all earned runner-up honors. In all, 13 Spuds reached final rounds and 30 advanced to semifinals. 

Several novice speakers also had strong opening performances. Freshman storyteller Chase Schmidt advanced to varsity semifinals in his first career tournament. Duo partners Jordan Jensen and Greta Homuth also reached semifinals, while first-year speaker Olivia Dahlberg made it to quarterfinals in Humor. 

Full results can be found here.

The Spuds will now split the squad ahead of next weekend's tournaments at Apple Valley and DGF. Four Spuds will vie for their second career marble apple, including Riley Stallman (Creative: Novice Champion, 2017), Sophie Schulz (Prose: Novice Champion, 2019), Chelsea Bubbers (Ex. Reading: 3rd place, 2019), and Grace Halvorson (Inform: 2nd place, 2019). 

OMAHA, Neb. - Thirteen Spud speakers traveled to Omaha for the 2019 NIETOC tournament, a collective contest featuring many of the top competitors in the country. While Moorhead was shut out of the final rounds, the team did enjoy early success at the three day event, advancing a program best ten entries to the quarterfinal round (top 30). Senior Sophia Klindt (Humor) was the lone Spud to reach the semifinals (top 12) but just missed out on the final round cut. Senior Alex Seigel and sophomore Thalia Christenson became the first Spuds to compete in Duet Acting. They finished in the top 30 overall.

A full list of NIETOC competitors and results can be found below.

Fifteen speakers now look forward to the 2019 NSDA National Tournament, held June 17-21 in Dallas, Texas. Last season, three Moorhead speakers advanced to finals en route to the program's first overall team championship. 

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NIETOC Final Results:

• Sophia Klindt (Humor) - Semifinals 

• Meghan Johnson (Drama) - Quarterfinals

• Stella Mehlhoff (Drama) - Quarterfinals

• Greta Almlie (Drama) - Octafinals 

• Cassidy Wendt & Jonah Hanson (Duo) - Octafinals

• Greta Almlie & Sophia Klindt (Duo) - Quarterfinals

• Katherine Leiseth & Jack Entzion (Duo) - Octafinals

• Thalia Christenson & Alex Seigel (Duet Acting) - Quarterfinals

• Maret Holm (Humor) - Quarterfinals

• Grace Halvorson (Inform) - Quarterfinals

• Meghan Johnson (Oratory) - Quarterfinals 

• Alyssa Haagenson (POI) - Quarterfinals

• Alex Seigel (POI) - Quarterfinals

WAYZATA, Minn. - The week began with a change of plans. An April snowstorm crippled much of the state, shuttering schools and roads from Moorhead to the metro, forcing the Spuds to depart a day early for the MSHSL State Tournament to stay ahead of the weather. 

The extra time together as a team seemed to pay off.

Seniors Anna Larson (Informative) and Neva Miller (Great Speeches) earned gold medals and twelve of their teammates reached finals as the Spuds claimed their fourth consecutive Class AA State Championship. It's the second time in three years that Moorhead has had a state champion in Informative and Great Speeches.

A full list of medalists and complete tournament results are below. 

Seniors Sophia Klindt (Duo) and Katherine Leiseth (Ex. Reading) became the 9th and 10th Spuds to earn three state medals; Klindt and her duo partner Greta Almlie took third place while Leiseth finished sixth. 

Sophomore Stella Mehlhoff (Prose) and seniors Alyssa Haagenson (Storytelling) and Margaret Dickey (Oratory) all finished in second place for their second career state medal. Almlie took third in duo for her second straight state medal. 

Moorhead now has 25 state champions and 210 state medals in team history. 

2019 MSHSL State Medalists:

• 1st - Anna Larson (Informative)

• 1st - Neva Miller (Great Speeches)

• 2nd- Alyssa Haagenson (Storytelling)

• 2nd - Margaret Dickey (Oratory)

• 2nd - Stella Mehlhoff (Prose)

• 3rd - Regan Hart (Creative)

• 3rd - Molly Hauf (Great Speeches)

• 3rd - Sophia Klindt & Greta Almlie (Duo)

• 4th - Dylan Stage (Drama)

• 6th - Katherine Leiseth (Ex. Reading)

• 6th - Thalia Christenson (Poetry)

• 8th - Cassidy Wendt & Jonah Hanson (Duo)

For full tournament results, click here.

WILLMAR, Minn. - For the 25th consecutive season, the Moorhead Spuds hoisted the Section 8AA team championship trophy as 23 speakers earned a spot at next Saturday's MSHSL State Tournament. Head Coach Rebecca Meyer-Larson was also named the 2019 Section 8AA Coach of the Year.

Four seniors advanced to state for the third time in their careers, joining an exclusive list of Spuds to earn the Triple Star Award. They include Anna Larson (2016, 2018, 2019 in Inform), Katherine Leiseth (2017, 2018, 2019 in Ex. Reading), Sophia Klindt (2017, 2018 in Humor; 2019 in Duo), and Dylan Stage (2017 in Prose; 2018, 2019 in Drama). 

Ten additional speakers will make their second straight appearance at the state tournament: Greta Almlie (Duo), Stella Mehlhoff (Prose), Neva Miller (Great Speeches), Molly Hauf (Great Speeches), Jonah Hanson (Duo), Cassidy Wendt (Duo), Emma Pranger (Ex. Speaking), Margaret Dickey (Oratory), Meghan Johnson (Drama), and Alex Seigel (Storytelling). 

The full list of qualifiers and alternates is below. 

With 21 entries, the Spuds will have the second-largest team at this year's state tournament. This is also the third straight year Moorhead has advanced at least 20 speakers to state with at least one entry in each event. Moorhead is vying for its fourth straight Class AA state title. 

The MSHSL State Tournament is next Saturday, April 13 at Wayzata High School. A full program, including round assignments and schedules, will be posted early next week. 

2019 Section 8AA Qualifiers and Alternates:

Creative:

• Regan Hart - 1st

• Riley Stallman - 2nd

• Lily Kjos - 3rd

Discussion:

• Beth Teiken - 2nd

• Sydney Anderson - 5th

Drama:

• Dylan Stage - 1st

• Meghan Johnson - 2nd

• Keegan Lee - 5th

Duo:

• Greta Almlie & Sophia Klindt - 1st

• Cassidy Wendt & Jonah Hanson - 2nd

• Sophie Schulz & Charlie Maki - 4th

Ex. Reading:

• Katherine Leiseth - 2nd

• Chelsea Bubbers - 4th

Ex. Speaking:

• Emma Pranger - 1st

• Lauren Melton - 5th

Great Speeches:

• Neva Miller - 2nd

• Molly Hauf - 3rd

• Hanna Leiseth - 4th

• Emma McFeely - 5th

Humor:

• Anika Drees - 3rd

Inform:

• Anna Larson - 3rd

• Anni Yoney - 4th

• Grace Halvorson - 6th

Oratory:

• Margaret Dickey - 2nd

• Zoe Stein - 3rd

• Lydia Horan - 4th

• Maria Dimo - 5th

• Maren Twedt - 6th

Poetry:

• Thalia Christenson - 2nd

• Mya Pfiefer - 3rd

• Alexa Girard - 6th

Prose:

• Stella Mehlhoff - 1st

• Jordan Jensen - 4th

• Lauren duCharme - 5th

Storytelling:

• Alex Seigel - 1st

• Alyssa Haagenson - 3rd

• Makenzie Stockwell - 4th

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. - A team record 50 entries and 54 students earned a spot at Thursday's 8AA Section Tournament after placing in the top six at last night's North Subsection meet. Moorhead took home ten of the 13 first place titles and will send at least three speakers in each event. The full list of section qualifiers is below.

The Spuds are vying for their 25th consecutive 8AA section title. Round one starts at 4:15 pm at Willmar High School with final rounds starting around 7pm. All results and a live stream of the awards ceremony can be found on Twitter @Spudspeech.

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Advancing to 8AA Sections (with subsection place):

Creative:

• Regan Hart - 1st

• Riley Stallman - 2nd

• Lilly Kjos - 4th

Discussion:

• Jack Eisenzimmer - 1st

• Beth Teiken - 2nd

• Sydney Anderson - 4th

• Scout Holding Eagle-Bushaw - 5th

Drama:

• Meghan Johnson - 1st

• Dylan Stage - 2nd

• Harrison Timm- 3rd

• Keegan Lee - 4th

Duo:

• Greta Almlie & Sophia Klindt - 1st

• Jonah Hanson & Cassidy Wendt - 2nd

• Ali Astrup & Taylor Qualey - 3rd

• Sophie Schulz & Charlie Maki - 4th

Ex. Reading:

• Katherine Leiseth - 1st

• Chelsea Bubbers - 2nd

• Beth Stein - 3rd

Ex. Speaking:

• Lauren Melton - 3rd

• Grant Gervais - 4th

• Emma Pranger - 5th

Great Speeches:

• Molly Hauf - 2nd

• Emma McFeely - 3rd

• Neva Miller - 4th

• Hannah Leiseth - 5th

Humor:

• Maret Holm - 1st

• Ethan Crompton - 2nd

• Wissam Amin - 4th

• Anika Drees - 5th

Informative:

• Anna Larson - 1st

• Grace Halvorson - 2nd

• Anni Yoney -3rd

• Greta Cole - 4th

• Jack Entzion - 5th

Oratory:

• Margaret Dickey -1st

• Zoe Stein - 2nd

• Lydia Horan - 3rd

• Maria Dimo - 4th

• Maren Twedt - 5th

Poetry:

• Alexa Girard - 2nd

• Katie Staiger - 3rd

• Thalia Christenson - 4th

• Mya Pfiefer - 6th

Prose:

• Stella Mehlhoff - 1st

• Jordan Jensen - 2nd

• Lauren duCharme - 3rd

Storytelling:

• Alyssa Haagenson - 1st

• Alex Seigel - 2nd

• Makenzie Stockwell - 3rd

• Emiley Nelson - 4th

ST. CLOUD, Minn. - The 2019 invitational season came to a close on Saturday as the Spuds earned nine first place finishes en route to a team sweepstakes championship. Senior Margaret Dickey led all speakers with three category wins, including her third straight victory in Drama, third win of the season in Oratory, and first top finish in Duo with partner Jack Entzion; Entzion also took third place in Informative. Alyssa Haagenson (Storytelling), Amelia Bjorklund (Poetry), Anna Larson (Informative), Molly Hauf (Great Speeches), Riley Stallman (Creative) and Ethan Crompton (Impromptu) also took home first place awards. Runners-up include Alex Seigel (Storytelling), Grace Halvorson (Informative), Greta Almlie (Prose), Katherine Leiseth (Ex. Reading), Meghan Johnson (Drama, Oratory), Neva Miller (Great Speeches), and Sydney Anderson (Discussion). In all, Moorhead advanced 46 entries to final rounds. 

The Spuds now turn to the postseason and the start of their three-time state championship title defense. The road to state starts on Thursday with the 8AA North Subsection Tournament in Fergus Falls. MSHSL rules only allow for 52 entries and no speaker can compete in more than one event. The following speakers will represent Moorhead at this year's subsection tournament: 

Creative Expression:

• Regan Hart

• Riley Stallman

• Lily Kjos

Discussion:

• Beth Teiken

• Sydney Anderson

• Scout Holding Eagle-Bushaw

• Jack Eisenzimmer

Drama:

• Harrison Timm

• Meghan Johnson

• Dylan Stage

• Keegan Lee

Duo:

• Taylor Qualey & Ali Astrup

• Greta Almlie & Sophia Klindt

• Jonah Hanson & Cassidy Wendt 

• Sophie Schulz & Charlie Maki

Ex. Reading:

• Chelsea Bubbers

• Katherine Leiseth

• Beth Stein

Ex. Speaking:

• Grant Gervais

• Emma Pranger

• Lauren Melton

• Jasmine Thayer

Great Speeches:

• Hannah Leiseth

• Molly Hauf

• Emma McFeely

• Neva Miller

Humor:

• Maret Holm

• Ethan Crompton

• Anika Drees

• Wissam Amin

Informative:

• Greta Cole

• Anni Yoney

• Anna Larson

• Jack Entzion

• Grace Halvorson

Oratory:

• Zoe Stein

• Lydia Horan

• Maren Twedt

• Maria Dimo

• Margaret Dickey

Poetry:

• Amelia Bjorklund

• Katie Staiger

• Thalia Christenson

• Mya Pfiefer

• Alexa Girard

Prose:

• Jordan Jensen

• Stella Mehlhoff

• Lauren duCharme

Storytelling:

• Emiley Nelson

• Alex Seigel

• Makenzie Stockwell

• Alyssa Haagenson

After three rounds of competition at subsections, the top six speakers in each category will advance to the 8AA Section Tournament on Thursday, April 4 in Willmar. There, the top three entries in each event advance to the MSHSL State Tournament, held this year on Saturday, April 13 at Wayzata High School. The Spuds are vying for their 25th consecutive section championship. 

EAGAN, Minn. - A March snowstorm that dumped nearly a foot of snow on much of the state stranded the Spuds in the cities for an extra night, but the team wasn't complaining after taking first place at Saturday's competitive and time-efficient tournament at Eagan HS. Led by top finishes in Drama (Margaret Dickey), Prose (Stella Mehlhoff), and International Extemp. (Emma Pranger), Moorhead took home their fifth sweepstakes championship of the season. Nineteen other entries advanced to finals and an additional 14 competed in the next-in finals, rounding out a successful day of competition. 

The Spuds now turn to the postseason beginning Friday with the NSDA Northern Lights District National Qualifier. Representing Moorhead are the following speakers:

• Drama: Margaret Dickey, Stella Mehlhoff, Dylan Stage, and Greta Almlie

• Duo: Jack Entzion & Katherine Leiseth, Ali Astrup & Taylor Qualey, Jonah Hanson & Cassidy Wendt, and Sophia Klindt & Greta Almlie

• Humor: Sophia Klindt, Ali Astrup, Maret Holm, and Ethan Crompton 

• Ex. Speaking: Emma Pranger (IX), Lauren Melton (IX), and Grant Gervais (USX)

• Inform: Anni Yoney, Grace Halvorson, Greta Cole, and Lauren duCharme

• Oratory: Margaret Dickey, Meghan Johnson, Maria Dimo, and Zoe Stein

• POI: Anni Yoney, Alex Seigel, Alexa Girard, and Alyssa Haagenson

*All speakers are required to meet after school Monday-Wednesday in preparation for the tournament.

Several Spuds will look to return to Nationals for the second straight year, including seniors Margaret Dickey (DI), Jack Entzion (Public Forum), Dylan Stage (DI), Meghan Johnson (OO), and Alyssa Haagenson (POI). Senior Sophia Klindt is vying for her third straight trip to Nationals. She advanced in Duo in 2017 and in Humor last season. Senior Anna Larson has already earned an auto-qualification to Nationals after taking fourth place at last year's NSDA Tournament. It will be her third straight appearance at Nationals, all in Informative speaking.