The Chesterton speech team placed second at the Munster High School Invitational, with seven individual champions. Fourteen schools with more than 550 entries competed in the tournament. The tournament featured some of the best teams in the state, competing at both the varsity and novice levels.

Culver Academies won the tournament with the depth of their novice entry. Following Chesterton was Plymouth High School in third, Warren Central in fourth, and Lawrence North in fifth.

Leading the team at the varsity level was senior Megan Adamczewski. Megan won both domestic extemporaneous speaking and impromptu speaking and was awarded the team trophy. Senior Tyler Fabbri also did well in two events, winning original oratory and placing second in impromptu. Fellow senior Adam Potrzebowski also placed in two events, winning international extemporaneous speaking and placing fourth in impromptu.

The team’s final champion in the varsity division was sophomore Mile Leopold in broadcasting. He was followed by Kevin Miloshoff (11) in second place and Latham Sullivan (11) in fourth. CHS won five of the seven public address events at the varsity level.

In original oratory the team took the top three spots, with junior Robert Conrick placing second behind Fabbri, and senior Hayley Miller taking third. Conrick also placed seventh in original performance. Teammate Randi Hickman finished second in original performance.

Others placing at the varsity level were Kara Fasone (11), third in humor; Kira Geairn (12), fifth in domestic extemporaneous; and Brandon Moore (11), eighth in domestic.

Novice champions included Michaela Raffin (10) in original oratory and the memorized duo team of Maddie Mottinger (9) and Aliyah Caraballo (9). Raffin also placed fifth in declamation, behind teammate Sharon Coleman (9) who placed third. Mottinger also took fifth in novice humor, and Coleman was eighth in original performance.

Sophomore Austin Martinson took third in humor, and he and his partner Gracie Parker (10) placed sixth in scripted duo. Parker also finished fourth in novice drama. Freshman Spencer Gordon finished fourth in international extemporaneous, and freshman Kiera Quealy placed seventh in original performance. Andrew Hogan (10) finished in seventh as well in broadcasting.

“The coaching staff was really pleased with the team’s performance today. This tournament gives us a feel for how well prepared we are for state competition. Although we have areas we need to work on, our varsity performance in public address was impressive,” said Coach Bob Kelly.

Coaches Kelly, Doug Pishkur and Kayla Fleming were assisted with judging duties by former team member Alec Donelson and several parents. Parents included Toya Garcia, Mary Bradow, Curt Kintzel, Krys Witczynski, Tony Dujmovich, Heather Eastland, and Dan Fabbri. The team’s next tournament will be this weekend at Lafayette Jeff.