Mudecas Champs!
First Time Ever
The Meridian Speech Team accomplished a first-time
ever feat for Meridian by winning the MUDECAS Speech Tournament at
SCC in Beatrice on Saturday, January 31. Meridian’s eighteen
speakers won the 12 team tournament and brought home a total of 18
medals. Falls City Sacred Heart was runner up, and
Bruning-Davenport placed third in a day of tough competition.
Ten Mustangs turned in a double-medal performance. Leading the team
was senior Logan Bartels with the championship medal in Humorous
Impromptu and third in OID. Kaitlyn Meyer, a senior, earned two
third place medals (Poetry and Duet); Mariah Filipi, also a senior,
placed third (OID) and fourth (Poetry); junior Taylor Johnson
earned a third place (OID) and a fourth place (Persuasive); and
finally sophomore Evan Bartels brought home a third place (Humorous
Impromptu) and a sixth (Duet).
Other medalists included senior Reid VanWesten (3rd Duet); Andrew
Rohr, senior, (3rd OID); Dustin Rohr, junior, (3rd OID); Erin
Bartels, a junior, (4th Informative); Brooke Hofstetter, junior,
(4th Extemp); Haley Dutton, junior, (6th Serious); Crystal
Brakhage, sophomore, (6th Duet); and Hailey Kaderabek, sophomore
(6th Entertainment).
Other Mustang speakers earning valuable team points for the squad
included seniors, Randii Endorf (Serious), Chelsea Roesler
(Humorous), and Billie Wassom (Persuasive); junior, Danielle
Aldrich; and sophomore Allison Johnson. Each of these speakers
earned at least one superior rating. The total number of superior
ratings was used to break a two-way tie for first place in the
tournament.
Many parents and supporters came to the all-day meet and cheered
the Mustangs on. The team and their coach, Bobette Toalson,
expressed their appreciation for the loyalty from their fans. The
Mustangs speak on Saturday, February 6, at the Crete Speech
Invitational in Crete. All interested parents and supporters are
invited to come see the entire team compete at this highly
competitive meet.
