Split Spuds show team depth at Harvard, East Ridge

Post date: Feb 18, 2016 5:26:59 PM

If the depth of talent on this year's team wasn't evident before last weekend, the results from the Harvard and East Ridge tournaments show the strength of these Spud speakers.

With 13 veteran speakers braving the record cold at the national circuit tournament in Boston, Moorhead traveled to Woodbury and once again posted a 2nd place finish at the East Ridge invitational, earning runner-up for the second consecutive year.

Highlighting the successful day was first-year speaker Sophia Klindt who took home top honors in novice humor and duo with partner Kaden Mozser. Carolyn Solberg extended her season-long streak of finals round breaks to four and won her second varsity tournament of the year (she also won the Marshall tournament earlier this year).

Veteran speaker Abram Sand also turned in a successful day, breaking to varsity finals and earning third place in both creative expression and drama. Both now stand as his top finishes of the season so far.

At the Harvard tournament, 13 Spuds competed against some of the top speakers in the country, including many returners who performed on the final round stage at last year's NSDA National Tournament.

With nearly 300 entrants in each category, Moorhead advanced seven speakers to the Octo-final round (top 54-60). Quinn Kupec (Ex. Speaking), Alex Church (Humor) and McKensie Bedore (Oratory) moved to the quarterfinal round (top 24) while duo Izzy Larson and Devon Solwold advanced to the semifinals, finishing in the top 12.

The Spuds are back at full strength this weekend as they travel to Apple Valley for the Star Tribune Lightning Classic at Eastview High School. Moorhead took 4th place last year.

Watch our twitter feed for updates from the tournament starting Saturday afternoon. Awards will once again be streamed live on The Cube beginning around 4 p.m.