Sectional next stop for Coaler speaksters

Published by admin on Tue, 02/07/2023 - 5:06pm

Courtesy photo
THE COALER SPEECH team advanced all 14 categories into the final round of the Illinois High School Association [IHSA] regional last weekend at Reed-Custer High School and from that group the team will compete in 12 speaking categories at the sectional tournament this weekend in Morris. Participating at the regional were [from left, row one]: Jacob Cimino, Madison Wilson, Amelia Frits, Chessa Kuhel, Kevin McConnell, Kayla Connelly and Izzy Kostbade. Melody Kinder is in row two with Corinna Barkley, Logan Hausman and Bradley Burla. Sam Vota and Grey Vanek are pictured in row three.

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STAFF REPORT

The Coaler Speech team finished the first round of the state series in second place, advancing in 12 categories to the sectional competition this weekend.

Senior Izzy Kostbade was the regional champion in humorous interpretation and Jacob Cimino took the title in extemporaneous speaking.

Kostbade also took home the second place medal in poetry reading which also earned her a place in the sectional contest.

Junior Chessa Kuhel finished the regional with a second place finish in prose and a third place medal in humorous duet acting with her speaking partner Kevin McConnell.

McConnell also medaled and advanced to the sectional with a fourth place finish in original comedy.

Another double regional medal winner was junior Amelia Fritz who took second in impromptu speaking and third in informational speaking.

Melody Kinder, a sophomore, advanced to the sectional having placed third in oratory.

Third place medals were also won by Corinna Barkley in special occasion speaking and Madison Wilson in radio speaking.

The team’s performance in the round—a group event that only competes in the state series—earned the regional title and will be back in action when the team travels to Morris for sectional action on Saturday, Feb. 11.

Those finishing in the top three at the sectional advance to the state finals in Peoria, Feb. 17 and 18.
Unlike other IHSA sanctioned activities, there is no class system in speech, so the local students compete against schools of all sizes.

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