The Wenatchee High School Speech and Debate team competed at the State Championship competition on March 14 and took fourth place — the best result the team has received in more than 15 years.

WHS was one of 60 teams that attended the University of Puget Sound for the speech events portion of the competition.

Of the 10 students that competed, four qualified for the national championships in Dallas. Seniors Serena Fitzgerald and Kiana Wilson both won first place rankings: Fitzgerald in Original Oratory and Wilson in Interpretive Reading.

Head Coach Dave Carlson attributes the team’s success to the experience of the students and said they have been, “getting to know the kinds of speeches that work.” He also said they are a “tight-knit team” and work well together.

Three students from the team will return to UPS this weekend for the debate portion of the tournament. Carlson is confident about the team’s chances of making it into the top 10, but expects a difficult competition. “It’s hardcore debate,” he said.

This weekend’s competition will bring the WHS Speech and Debate team’s regular season to a close. “I am very proud of the students,” volunteer coach Matthew Pippin said. “No matter whether or not they made it to the finals, they all did their best and that’s the most important thing.”

Wilson also placed second in Dramatic Interpretation. Sophomore Vivan Noyd placed fourth in Original Oratory.