Maple Lake Speakers do well at two big meets

Contributed report

The 2021 Maple Lake speech season is underway. Students are competing in virtual tournaments across the state either from their homes or the high school. COVID-19 halted the 2020 season early, but the 2021 team has had some success so far within the new way of competing. On Feb. 6, the Irish tied for first place with the 2019 state championship team from Melrose. Placing for Maple Lake were Aidan Kolehmainen, sixth place, Creative Expression; Mary Miller, sixth place, great speeches; Alyssa Hadler, sixth place, storytelling; Emily Lewis, third place, storytelling; Josie Niemiec, second place, great speeches; Calli Hadler, second place, original oratory; and Greta Brown, second place, extemporaneous speaking. The duo team of Hayes and Jude finished second. Anna McClelland was champion of great speeches and Grace Fritz was champion in extemp. speaking.

Taking advantage of the virtual tournament calendar, Maple Lake competed against some of the largest programs in the state on Saturday, Feb. 13th and finished sixth. Placing for Maple Lake were Delaney Haglin and Natasha Lodermeier, sixth place, duo interpretation; Grace Fritz, sixth place, extemporaneous speaking; Anna McClelland, sixth place, great speeches; Katie Hagen and Avery Kolehmainen, fifth place, duo interpretation; and Emily Lewis, third place, storytelling.  The duo team of Hayes and Jude were crowned champions of duo interpretation.

Up next

The Irish will compete again on Saturday, Feb. 20.