WHS speech and debate open season with two first-place wins

WORLAND —The Worland High School speech and debate team is two for two this season, competing in two meets and winning the 3A sweepstakes in both competitions.

Coach Rick Dorn said the team competed in Green River in December and defeated Douglas in 3A by one point. He said that was the first meet of the competition and Worland took mainly novice members with varsity members unable to compete due to other commitments.

Last weekend, the team opened the 2017 portion of the season at Kelly Walsh in Casper defeating Riverton by 10 points for the 3A sweepstakes award. Torrington was third in 3A. Dorn said Worland was able to see most of their 3A competition except a few teams on the east side of the state and Cody and Powell.

Leading the way for the team were seniors Dalen Brazelton and Dominic Damiano, who placed first in duet.

Emily Wheeler and Courtney Woolery were third in public forum debate. Placing fifth were Taelor Nielsen in Congress and Claire Neylon in oratory.

Dorn said the team had 11 groups and/or individuals break into semis, the most in 3A. Torrington had five teams.

Dorn said with seven seniors leading this group, he is excited about the prospect of competing for a state title in March. He added that Worland’s nemesis, Jackson, has moved up to 4A this year.

He said Riverton will be tough this year, and Cody and Powell are still unknown at this point in the season since he hasn’t seen them in competition.

Worland should get a chance to compete with Cody and Powell on Jan. 27-28 at the Natrona County meet in Casper.