Written by Coach Bengert
The speech team ended its season with a miraculous finish! Yes, miraculous! As the ribbon winners were announced, and St. Paul's early ribbons were ALL 3rd, 4th, and some categories NONE, I braced myself for, at best, a fourth-place trophy (and those of you who know my competitive spirit know I did indeed BRACE MYSELF for a 4th-place trophy!). But then came humor and drama! However, always, the "realist," I wasn't sure our firsts and seconds in those categories compensated for the less stellar results previously. However, Stanley Clark was announced the 4th-place with 36 points, and I was rather certain we had 41. I prepared for the 3rd place trophy. Then, MIRACULOUSLY, Plymouth Lincoln was announced with 39 points, and I realized we would receive the SECOND PLACE TROPHY, no small accomplishment with 26 schools, over 465 competitors and fewer ribbons being awarded than usual!!! Nothing short of miraculous!
Individual ribbon winners were the following:
- 1st place: Erin Thomas and Patrick Azar who returned from EVERY meet this season with blue ribbons!
- 2nd place: Mary Cobble, Zac Sewell and the duo of Nina Hartman and Elvin Uthuppan (It should be noted that there were over 55 entries in duo competition!)
- 3rd place: Jennifer Gough, Billy Yogan, Thomas Lyp, Dan Barajas and Nikki Huth
- 4th place: Emma Mazurek, the duo of Patrick Azar and Mary Cobble, Christian Sayers, Elvin Uthuppan, Dan Barajas, Natalie Gruszka and the duo of Chris Pease and Nikki Huth
I would like to extend one last thank you for the cooperation, interest and help of the parents who offered to be drivers, judges, and COACHES! We could not have fared as well or had such an enjoyable season without your help!