The CHS Speech Team finished its regular season placing second at the “Charger Speech Winter Invitational” in Elkhart this past weekend. Fourteen schools and more than 200 students participated in the all varsity competition.

The team had four individual champions, led by senior Andrew Hogan who won humorous interpretation and placed second in prose. Senior Kalina Smith, competing at her first speech tournament, won impromptu speaking, and junior Christian O’Brien was the tournament champion in broadcasting. Junior Kiera Quealy took top honors in original performance and placed fifth in drama.

Junior Jennifer Kattalia also placed in two events, placing second in drama and third in original oratory. Kattalia was awarded the team trophy for her performance and her contributions to the team throughout the season. Following Kattalia in oratory were teammates senior Mike Leopold in fourth, sophomore Mikaela Meyer in seventh, and junior Sharon Coleman in eighth. Meyer also placed sixth in declamation.

The team dominated in original performance. Quealy was followed by junior Samantha Read in second, sophomore Sarah Parker in third and junior Rachel Kidder in fourth. Kidder and her partner, freshman Lauren Hogan, finished fourth in memorized duo, and Parker and her partner, sophomore Jami Ritchea, followed in fifth place.

In broadcasting freshman Robert St. Pierre – third – and Galen Wong – fourth – finished behind O’Brien. In discussion junior Ronnie Kovach was second and sophomore Simon Andrews placed fourth.

International extemporaneous speakers, senior John Vincent and sophomore Andrew Caratini finished fourth and fifth, respectively, and junior Eric Dreischerf and freshman Matt Murfitt placed fifth and seventh, respectively, in U.S. extemporaneous speaking.

Junior Kaylee Oates placed in two events, taking fourth in humor and seventh in poetry. Teammate Kathryn Brewer (10) finished ahead of Oates in poetry in second place. Sophomore Danny Vincent placed seventh in drama, and he and his partner, sophomore Olivia Dujmovich, were third in scripted duo.

Senior Cassidy Peretin placed third in declamation, and teammate Layla Mooradian followed in eighth.

“We had a strong showing today, but we have our work cut out for us as we head into sectionals next weekend,” said coach Bob Kelly.

Chesterton finished in second with 135 points behind tournament champion Plymouth with 162 points. Elkhart Central finished third with 44 points, followed by Valparaiso (27) in fourth and Penn High School (25) in fifth.

Coaches Bob Kelly and Sam Marshall were joined by former students Jessica Cleary, Kara Fasone, and Dakota McCoy, who helped with judging. Also judging for the team were parents Darrell and Marcia Ritchea, Rick Kidder, Jim Vincent, and Christina Mooradian.

Posted 2/29/2012