A flood of Spuds: Moorhead sends 26 to State

Post date: Apr 7, 2017 2:43:25 PM

Last April, Moorhead advanced 19 entries to the Class AA State tournament en route to an inaugural state championship.

For a potential encore, the Spuds are bringing reinforcements.

After another strong night of performances, Moorhead clinched its 23rd consecutive Section 8AA title and will send 26 entries (28 speakers) to state, matching the record-setting mark from two years ago. In all, the Spuds will comprise two thirds of the representatives from the section.

Eleven of those speakers are advancing to state with blue ribbons, winning their respective categories. They include Evyn Judisch (Creative), Izzy Larson & Devon Solwold (Duo), Katherine Leiseth (Ex. Reading), Bridget McManamon (Ex. Speaking), Carolyn Solberg (Great Speeches), Sophia Klindt (Humor), Sarah Schulz (Inform), Jessica Anderson (Oratory), Camryn Hodny (Poetry), Noel Kangas (Prose), and McKensie Bedore (Storytelling).

A full list of state qualifiers can be found below.

The successful night also brings new accolades to several speakers.

With his first place finish in Duo, senior Devon Solwold becomes just the fourth Spud to advance to state four times in a career, joining Rachel Clausen (2006-09), Emily Haagenson (2011-14) and Shontel Smith (2011-14) as the only four-star winners in school history.

His duo partner, junior Izzy Larson, will have an opportunity to join him on that exclusive list next year. She, along with seniors McKensie Bedore, Camryn Hodny and Jessica Anderson all earned their third trip to state, becoming three of just 35 speakers to do so in team history.

Several others punched their second ticket to state, including junior Bridget McManamon and seniors Lauren Cartwright, Hannah Hendrickson, Abby Dahlberg, Maryn Cella, Alex Church, Skyler Klostriech and Sarah Schulz.

The state tournament will be held on Friday, April 21 at Apple Valley High School.

State Qualifiers and alternates:

Creative Expression:

Evyn Judisch--1st

Alex Church--2nd

Lauren Cartwright--3rd

Ian Bahe--1st Alternate

Matt Rosson--2nd Alternate

Discussion:

Hannah Hendrickson--3rd

Sydney Anderson--3rd Alternate

Drama:

Luke Seidel--2nd

Kenan Stoltenow--3rd

Duo:

Izzy Larson & Devon Solwold--1st

Abby Dahlberg & Skyler Klostriech--2nd

Ex. Reading:

Katherine Leiseth--1st

Megan DuChene--2nd

Chelsea Bubbers--1st Alternate

Ex. Speaking:

Bridget McManamon--1st

Simon Beach--1st Alternate

Great Speeches:

Carolyn Solberg--1st

Maryn Cella--2nd

Molly Hauf--1st Alternate

Humor:

Sophia Klindt--1st

Ariana Grollman--3rd

Ella Halgrimson--1st Alternate

Informative:

Sarah Schulz--1st

Lance Morlock--2nd

Anna Larson--1st Alternate

Anni Yoney--2nd Alternate

Oratory:

Jessica Anderson--1st

Katie Staiger--2nd Alternate

Poetry:

Camryn Hodny--1st

Jennie Hastings--2nd

Amelia Bjorklund--3rd Alternate

Prose:

Noel Kangas--1st

Dylan Stage--2nd

Kaden Moszer--3rd

Margaret Dickey--3rd Alternate

Storytelling:

McKensie Bedore--1st

Hannah Maki--2nd

Regan Hart--3rd

Alyssa Haagenson--2nd Alternate

Alex Seigel--3rd Alternate