Thermopolis speech and debate team doing exceptional this season

WORLAND – The Hot Springs County High School speech and debate team has seen a handful of wins this season. With a young team, they’ve brought home a fourth-place finish at Kelly Walsh, a third place from Jackson and a second place in 3A from Greybull last weekend, according to coach Cindy Glasson.

“We have 11 students out this year, with most doing two events but one, Tyler Kay, competing in three,” Glasson said.

“As far as highlights, this past weekend at the Greybull meet we had 11 slots in finals including three of the six in drama, two of the six in duet, oratory and poetry. This is the first time in my many years with the team that I can recall having that many in finals at a single meet,” Glasson said.

Individually, the team has some outstanding performers, including Kyle Mosser (sophomore) who placed second in Greybull in drama, Tyler Kay (sophomore), who’s tripling in drama, humor and program of oral interpretation (POI). “He’s a very talented young man and I have no doubt that he will break into finals in at least two of his events at state,” Glasson said.

Other individuals include Hannah Hu, a sophomore who has been consistently placing with her oratory.

Glasson said Breeze Petty, a sophomore added oratory to her list, along with LD debate this past weekend in Greyubll and “gave Hannah a good run, placing third to Hannah’s first.”

“As far as State goes, it would be really nice to have those kinds of numbers again,” Glasson said. “However, with the huge slate of competitors, I can feasibly see two in drama, two in humor, at least one in poetry, and a possible POI finalist. I am very fortunate to have such talent on this team this year, their dedication is exceptional.”

The State Speech Meet is March 8-10.