Speech & Debate Bella Malloy

5A Speech & Debate: George Washington Wins Third State Title in Four Years

AURORA - George Washington secured the Class 5A Speech and Debate state championship this weekend at Cherokee Trail High School, finishing with 126 points to claim the overall team title. 

It is George Washington’s third championship in the last four years.

George Washington finished ahead of Cherry Creek (97), after two days of competition featuring the top programs and individuals in the state. 

“It’s the culmination of years of hard work from students who started as freshmen and worked four years to get here,” said Maryrose Kohan, head coach of the Patriots and this year's NFHS Outstanding Speech and Debate Educator. “Seeing the whole team and community come together like this just brings so much joy.” 

Denver East (89), Pine Creek (71), and Kent Denver (47) rounded out the top five in overall standings. 

George Washington also claimed the Speech Sweepstakes team title, while Cherry Creek captured the Debate Sweepstakes title. 

Among George Washington’s champions was senior Naomi Nicholson in Program Oral Interpretation.

"I love the people. I love competing. I don’t do a sport or anything—this is the thing I do,” Nicholson said. “Seeing people from other schools every weekend, it’s just fun."

Senior Ingrid Zuniga-Boyle was part of George Washington’s closeout for the top four spots in Policy Debate, along with partner Kamila Jenkins.

"It feels good… but for this, it feels good because my partner's a junior,” Zuniga-Boyle said. “She still has another year left with debate.” 

Their journeys show that success in speech and debate comes from hard work, teamwork, and the connections you make along the way.

“It means a lot for us to win one of our last tournaments together and show so much improvement over the last three years,” Zuniga-Boyle said.

The winners were:

Congressional Debate: Sachit Srinivas, Fossil Ridge
Dramatic Interpretation: Zoe Corrigan, Denver East
Duo Interpretation: Kat Walsh and Graeme Elson, George Washington
Humorous Interpretation: Hank Layton, Rock Canyon
Informative Speaking: Stella Harezlak, Fairview
International Extemporaneous Speaking: Clara Chung, Pine Creek
Lincoln-Douglas Debate: Harper Godsey, Columbine
Original Oratory: Lucas Vannoni, Kent Denver
Poetry Reading: Nasibo Ahmendnur, Overland
Policy Debate: Yoale Amanuel and Cade Ramirez, George Washington
Program Oral Interpretation: Naomi Nicholson, George Washington
Public Forum Debate: Nabhanya Sasikumar and Luke Chung, Pine Creek
United State Extemporaneous Speaking: Noah Harris, Kent Denver