3A Speech and Debate: Resurrection Christian Wins Third-Straight State Title

PUEBLO – Make it a three-peat for Resurrection Christian.

The Cougars won their third consecutive Class 3A Speech and Debate state championship edging, University on Saturday at Pueblo Central High School.

Resurrection Christian finished with 152 points, while University was second at 124 points, followed by Eagle Valley with 64 points.

“This is super exciting,” said Resurrection Christian coach Levi Smith, who has guided the Cougars to the three straight state titles. “This group of seniors is amazing. They have been with me since they were freshmen and when they go next year they will leave a gigantic hole in our team, but they have created such a legacy that hopefully things will continue.

“This is fun (to win state) and exciting. It is fun to see the kids compete and it is fun to see the excitement in their eyes. It is fun when their skill sets translate to what they are actually going to do in the future. When they take these communication skills out there and they use their words to worship God and make everything occur. It is great.”

Trace Orlando (Extemporaneous Speaking), Maelin Rennemeyer (Humorous Interpretation), Luke Yowell (Value Debate), and Carter Adams and Mia Lee (Duo Interpretation) won individual state titles.

Resurrection Christian also won the Debate-only team championship. University Schools took home the Team Speech-only crown.

“This is surreal,” said Rennemeyer, a senior who won the humorous interpretation title for the second straight year. “My freshman year we had a team of 20 people, so the fact that we brought 53 people to our state tournament was huge. It is just a full circle moment really. Being a senior and getting to watch how much the team has grown over the past four years, I really feel like our seniors have left a legacy on this team and I’m really excited to see where this team is going to go in the future.”

Eagle Valley’s Iris Sheldon, in Information Speaking, also won a second straight individual championship.

Orlando, a fellow senior, also was thrilled with how things unfolded for him and his teammates.

“This was an amazing opportunity to be here with our team and being able to win three times in a row just shows how strong we are together,” Orlando said. “It is not just one or two of us winning individually, but it is our team community building us up together in order to accomplish this three-peat win as well.”

The Class 3A Speech and Debate State Tournament winners and team standings

Congress 
Abdullahi Adan, Lotus School for Excellence

Creative Story Telling
Judson Arney, Battle Mountain

Dramatic Interpretation 
Cami Taylor, University

Extemporaneous Speaking
Trace Orlando, Resurrection Christian

Humorous Interpretation 
Maelin Rennemeyer, Resurrection Christian

Original Oratory
Melala Nasir, DSST: Green Valley Ranch

Poetry Interpretation 
Angelina Farnando, University

Value Debate
Luke Yowell, Resurrection Christian

Duo Interpretation 
Carter Adams and Mia Lee, Resurrection Christian

Impromptu Speaking 
Abby Domanico, Eagle Valley

Informative Speaking
Iris Sheldon, Eagle Valley

Public Form Debate 
Christian Pena and Elliott Hanley, Eagle Valley

Program Oral Interpretation 
Ashlyn Craig, University

Lincoln Douglas Debate
Isaiah Martinez, Pueblo Central

Team Speech-Only Champion
University

Team Debate-Only Champion
Resurrection Christian

Overall Team Standings
1. Resurrection Christian 152
2. University 124
3. Eagle Valley 64
4. Battle Mountain 34
5. DSST: Green Valley Ranch 31
6. Lotus School for Excellence 25
7 (tie) Dawson School 17
           St. Mary’s Academy 17
9. (tie) Pueblo Central 13
           Windsor Charter Academy 13
11. Eagle Ridge Academy-Brighton 12
12. (tie) Steamboat Springs 10
      STEM School Highlands Ranch 10
14. Cedaredge 8
15. Fort Morgan 4
16. (tie) Roaring Fork 2
              Mead 2