Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

By Tracie Mitchell

Staff Writer

WORLAND – The Worland High School speech and debate team finished third in the 3A sweepstakes this weekend at the State speech Championship in Buffalo. While the entire team finished third, the two policy debate teams finished as the overall State Champions and earned all-states honors. "My two teams of policy debate (Carmen Elliott and Alex Mulhall, Taelor Nielsen and Arora Chamberlain) ended up being the overall champion of the tournament, they beat the 4A's too," speech and debate coach Rick Dorn said. "We were very pleased, it's a great feeling because that was the first time that the team was able to close out, knock out everybody else," he added.

The results are as follows:

Public forum debate: Riley Harman and Courtney Woolery advanced to octofinals.

Duet: Sariah Durrant and Daniel Igleheart advanced to semifinals and were named third place in 3A and all-state. Dalen Brazelton and Dominic Damiano placed third overall and named 3A State Champions and all-state.

Poetry: Daniel Igleheart advanced to octofinals and placed third in 3A and all-state.

Extemp speaking: Carmen Elliott advanced to semifinals and placed third in 3A and all-state.

Policy debate: Carmen Elliott, Alex Mulhall, Taelor Nielsen and Arora Chamberlain finished as overall State Champions and all-states.

Dorn was also voted as the 3A coach of the season. According to the press release, "Daniel Parson President Wyoming High School Forensics Association recognized for Coaching Success, Rick Dorn, head coach of the Speech and Debate Team at Worland High School. The WHSFA is a state-wide association that encourages and advances speech in all its phases in Wyoming schools. In announcing the award, Parson noted, 'Rick's success and skills as a coach are without peer, as reflected by the vote of our membership with respect to this award. Coach Dorn received a large percentage of the vote and it is clear the WHSFA membership values the important contributions made by him over the years.'

"Rick's dedication to our activity is exemplified in his team's performance. Over the years Rick has fielded some very strong competitors particularly in the debate events. The Worland team has consistently placed in the top three in the 3A division in the regular season and is constantly improving. Dorn has coached the Worland team since 2011 and has earned his Diamond Award from the National Forensic League. The long and distinguished history of Worland forensics has been upheld by this extraordinary coach. Speech and Debate in Wyoming has been made stronger and better by his presence."

The team will be heading to the national qualifiers in Riverton Thursday. "If they win there they are qualified to go to the nationals and compete," Dorn said.