LHS forensics wins title at Osage City

By Andy Brown
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: March 3, 2016

The Louisburg High School forensics team won the Osage City tournament Saturday and finished the day with 15 finalists and a pair of gold medal winners. The Wildcats also hosted their home tournament at LHS.

OSAGE CITY – Although it was hosting its own tournament last Saturday, the Louisburg High School forensics team sent a group to Osage City for a tournament of its own and it turned out to be a good day all-around.

At Osage City, the Wildcats took home first place honors and had 15 finalists in the process to go along with a pair of gold medalists.

“I was very proud of this group,” Louisburg coach Brian Weilert said. “Many of our state qualifiers stayed back to help host our tournament so this group was made up of those who have either been close, or looking to breakout. “We had several who became first-time medalists this year and others who double-broke (two events in finals) for the first time as well.”

Ashley Allen brought home gold with a first-place finish in Informative Speaking. Nathaniel Mason won gold for his performance in Poetry and also finished third in Impromptu Speaking.

Chloe Philgreen finished runner-up in Humorous Solo Acting and McKenzie Vanmeerhaeghe also won a silver medal in Serious Solo Acting.

Demi Vanmeerhaege finished third in Informative Speaking and later took fifth in Duet with Sydney Vanmeerhaeghe. Sydney also medaled fifth in Original Oration.

Dalton Knipp also medaled in two events as he took fourth in Serious Solo Acting and fifth in Poetry. Stephanie Rose was fourth in Duet with Eddie Murphy and Rose came in fifth in Serious Solo Acting.

Jordan Shaner was fourth in Impromptu Speaking, while Jacinda Collins and Sam Traffis finished sixth in Prose and Poetry, respectively.

As for the Wildcats’ home tournament, Weilert recruited several volunteers from within the community to help along with several of his state qualifiers.

“I love when our community comes together to aid in hosting a tournament of this size,” Weilert said. “We had 50 people give up their Saturday to come in to judge and help out. Without this type of support we wouldn’t even be able to host. I want to thank everyone who volunteered and to my amazing team that pulled it together to make it all run smooth.”