Kristin Kalita, Tyler Demar, Jeff Corso, Eric Shaefer, Samantha Sangerman

In what is unquestionably the most difficult sectional in the state, the Chesterton High School speech team prevailed over rival Munster over the weekend - 153 points to 146 points.

CHS has won the sectional tournament for the past four years. Ten schools and more than 150 students competed in the day long tournament, hosted by Chesterton High School. The top seven students in each of the fourteen events now advance to the state finals, to be held in Indianapolis on March 24.

Chesterton qualified 29 of its 36 entries and had champions in five of the fourteen events. Seniors Kristin Kalita, original oratory, Tyler DeMar, international extemporaneous speaking, Samantha Sangerman, declamation, Eric Schaefer, humor, and Jeff Corso, prose, led the team with individual championships.

“This turned out to be a very competitive, very close tournament, and while we got a lot of the team through to state, we lost a few key people. We’ll really have to work hard to be competitive at state, but I think we’ve got the kind of team that is going to rise to the challenge. This group is, in every sense of the word, a team, “ said coach Bob Kelly.

Former CHS speech standouts Steve Bair, Dannielle (Hunt) Sanders, and Lianne (Wojnarowicz) Mink, joined parents Mike Fioritto and Pegg Sangerman to help with judging. John and Mary Corso along with several other CHS parents took care of hospitality for the day. “Our parents do a wonderful job of making everyone feel right at home during a very stressful day,” said coach Barbara Funke.

Following CHS and Munster was Culver Academies with 114 points in third place. Penn High School placed fourth with 35 points and LaPorte finished fifth with 20 points. More than 70 high schools will now compete at the IHSFA state finals on March 24th.

Original oratory was the strongest of the events for the team with Kristin Kalita as champion, Alyssa Penning (12) placing third, and Samantha Kattalia (11) finishing fourth. International extemporaneous speaking was also a strength with Tyler DeMar winning, Sarah Christofersen (12) in second, and Samantha Kattalia in fifth. Alex Sisto was also the first alternate in international extemp.

Jeff Corso won prose and was followed by teammate Scott Trepper (11) who was 6th. Kristin Kalita was the first alternate and Melissa Penfold (11) the second alternate in prose. Corso also placed second in drama followed by Penfold in third and Samantha Sangerman in sixth. Sangerman was the tournament champion in declamation and teammate Kelsey Marchak (11) was sixth.

Eric Schaefer won humorous interpretation and sophomore Jack Deuberry (10) was third. Deuberry and his scripted duo partner, Aaron Fiorrito (10), placed fifth. Schaefer and his memorized duo partner, Kelsey Phillips (10) placed third followed by Zack Stemer (11) and Kayla Fleming (12) in fourth. Stemer also placed second in original performance.

Qualifying in discussion were Greg Gentry (11) fifth, Rachel Marvin (10) sixth and Erik Gentry (12) 7th. In impromptu Sarah Christofersen placed third, Tyler DeMar was fifth, and Luci Doler (12) was the first alternate.

Radio finalists included Kathleen O"Keefe (12) 2nd, Beau Rajsic (12) 3rd, and Trinadi Shires (11), fifth. And in U.S. extemporaneous speaking Melissa Frye (12) was 6th and Jay Hartford (12) was 7th.

Posted 3/5/2007