In a close contest Saturday, the Luverne High School speech team earned its second consecutive Section 3A championship and will send a record-setting seven students to the state tournament.
Students who placed in the top three in their categories advanced to the state meet. Two Luverne students took section championships.
Section results included:
•Luke Thorson, first, section champion, humorous interpretation.
•Chance Tunnissen, first, section champion, extemporaneous speaking.
•Burke Johnson, second, discussion.
•Parker Carbonneau, second, extemporaneous speaking.
•Mia Wenzel, third, serious poetry.
•Rylee Anderson, third, great speeches.
•Zander Carbonneau, third, extemporaneous speaking.
•Brianna Kinsinger, fourth, creative expression.
•Roselynn Hartshorn, fifth, original oratory.
•Jessika Tunnissen, sixth, informative speaking.
Also competing on Saturday and not making the final round were Maddy Schepel, Lizzy Mulder and Nora Louwagie.
Coaches Gavin Folkestad and Caroline Thorson knew the possible win came down to numbers.
“We brought 13 kids to compete and there were some schools that had 16-24 kids,” Folkestad said. “We needed a good number to not only advance to the final round but to also place well.”
Luverne had 10 students reach the final rounds, and rival Windom had 12 students in the finals.
Luverne earned a one-point victory.
“I told the students not to do anything differently in regard to their speeches,” Folkestad said. “Their success throughout the season is what got them to this point — don’t change it up now.”
All five of the team’s senior members earned a trip to state tournament.
“To have all five seniors, who have been in speech since middle school, make it to state is so thrilling,” Thorson said.
The seniors include Chance Tunnissen, Burke Johnson, Mia Wenzel, Rylee Anderson and Luke Thorson.
Luke is coach Thorson’s son. Earlier this month Thorson announced she will retire as speech coach after eight years.
“I cannot think of a better note to leave my coaching duties on than this,” she said. “Of course, like any parent, I am thrilled for Luke, too. He really wanted to go back to state and especially an in-person experience, so this is just so much fun.”
The state tournament takes place April 22-23 in Apple Valley.
Luverne will need two Suburbans to transport the seven qualifiers to state meet, the most qualifiers in more than a decade.
Last year Luverne had six competitors in the state’s virtual event.
“To be able to bring our entire senior class (speech team) to compete, I am absolutely elated,” Folkestad said.