SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Torrington Speech and Debate Team rolled into the Hole in the Wall District Speech and Debate Tournament at Spearfish on Feb. 22 - 24, ready to compete with 23 teams and more than 400 competitors from Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
This was the greatest number of competitors registered in the various events for Torrington at a district tournament in recent memory, coach Lyle Wiley said.
“This group is dedicated, young, and hungry,” Wiley said. “I am so proud of them all.
“There were many impressive performances at the tournament that deserve recognition,” he said. “I wanted to especially recognize a couple competitors.”

Senior, Kaylynn Clapper from Southeast, survived four rounds of Extemporaneous Speaking, putting her in the top 12 competitors in the event. She also placed 3rd among more than 30 students in Congressional Debate in the Senate Chamber.
Senior, Tobi Medina from THS, split 2-2 in Lincoln-Douglas Debate. This put him in the top 15 of L-D Debaters. He also survived three rounds of Extemporaneous Speaking and finished 10th in his Congressional Debate House Chamber of over 25 students. It was a tremendous showing for Tobi in his first-year debating, Wiley said.
All of the following competitors survived two or more rounds in
their events:
THS: Mason Brummell (Extemp, PF Debate), Madelyn Burks (Drama), Martina Padovani (Oratory), Koby Ringle (LD Debate, Extemp), Henry Rose (PF Debate), Mckenne Russell (PF Debate, Extemp), and Angelica Walberg (PF Debate)
SE: Dani Clapper (Duo, Oratory), Jared Clapper (PF Debate), Gareth Haines (Humor, PF Debate), and Theona Haines (Duo)
“It is always awesome and humbling to watch these hardworking students give heart and soul into these debates, speeches, and interpretative pieces,” Wiley said. “I am thankful to be a part of it and am again so proud of the Goshen County students on our team. They are amazing.”