Top Taters Again: Spuds win sections for 22nd straight season

Next week's MSHSL State Tournament will once again see a full helping of Spuds.

Continuing a streak of section titles that stretches back into the 90s, well before any of this year's speakers were even born, the Moorhead Speech team capped off a successful week of words with the section 8AA first place trophy in hand. Of the 42 total speakers representing the section at the state tournament, half call Moorhead home. This is also the 7th consecutive year Moorhead will send at least 20 speakers to state.

Of the 19 Moorhead entries (21 speakers) advancing to state, ten are making return trips.

Seniors Delana Haglund (Prose) and Quinn Kupec (Extemp. Speaking) as well as junior Devon Solwold (Duo) are all advancing to their third state tournament, adding their names to the exclusive list of Triple-Star Award winners.

Punching tickets to state for the second time in their speech career include seniors Sean Dahlberg (Duo), Levi Seidel (Drama), and Jack Mullally (Oratory); juniors Jessica Anderson (Prose), Camryn Hodny (Oratory) and McKensie Bedore (Storytelling); and sophomore Izzy Larson (Duo).

With a host of talent competing in last night's tournament and only three entries advancing from each category, the excitement of winning was coupled with its fair share of heartbreak. Yet, with each on-stage announcement, medals were met with hugs and handshakes between all competitors, a show of unity and support as the newly formed Team 8AA heads south next week.

The MSHSL State AA Tournament is next Saturday, April 16 at Lakeville North High School. Below is a list of the Moorhead speakers, including final round alternates, representing 8AA. Advancing speakers are in bold.

Creative Expression:

Lauren Cartwright, 2nd

Bridget McManamon, 3rd

Regan Hart, 1st alternate

Discussion:

Hannah Hendrickson, 3rd

Dramatic Interpretation:

Levi Seidel, 1st

Duo Interpretation:

Abby & Sean Dahlberg, 2nd

Izzy Larson & Devon Solwold, 1st

Kaden Moszer & Sophia Klindt, 2nd alternate

Extemporaneous Reading:

Megan DuChene, 3rd alternate

Annie Nickell, 2nd alternate

Extemporaneous Speaking:

Quinn Kupec, 1st

Great Speeches:

Maryn Cella, 2nd

Carolyn Solberg, 2nd alternate

Miah Lee, 1st alternate

Humorous Interpretation:

Skyler Klostriech, 2nd

Alex Church, 1st

Ella Halgrimson, finalist

Ariana Grollman, 2nd alternate

Ian Bahe, 1st alternate

Informative Speaking:

Sarah Schulz, 2nd

Anna Larson, 1st

Jennie Hastings, 1st alternate

Original Oratory:

Jack Mullally, 2nd

Camryn Hodny, 1st

Jesemy Travers, 2nd alternate

Poetry:

Mason Pickar, 1st

Luke Seidel, 2nd alternate

Prose:

Delana Haglund, 2nd

Jessica Anderson, 1st

Dylan Stage, 1st alternate

Storytelling:

Alyssa Haagenson, 3rd

McKensie Bedore, 2nd

Aubree Buysee, 2nd alternate

Isaac Lenarz, 1st alternate