The Flathead speech and debate teams won their first state title since 1994 on Jan. 31, as the team beat perrenial champion Bozeman 233-212 in Helena. And while the win was unexpected by some, FHS drama teacher David Hashley nearly called the result point-for-point prior to the meet. “I took into account the scoring entries and how the team had done,” said Hashley. “They were more than predictions. They were goals for (the team).” So is Hashley Flathead High’s resident Nostradomas? Should Crescan be looking for a new day job? Should Hashley ask for a job at the Psychic Friends Network? Actually Hashley’s prediction, while amazing in forseeing the score, was not as remarkable in predicting Flathead as the winner. Flathead and Bozeman had traded AA meets this season, with Flathead winning in Butte and Missoula and Bozeman winning in Billings, Bozeman and Great Falls. Impressive as that is, the state championship came in lieu of losing the “old guard,” 21 seniors who were team leaders in 1996-97. At first, this season was thought to be a rebuilding year. “This was the year we were going to rebuild the team,” said FHS head speech coach Greg Adkins. “I never expected the title. I thought it would take a year.” The Helena state meet was the first time Bozeman had failed to win the state title at a neutral site since 1988. “It was our best showing of the year,” said Adkins. “What a great time to start to peak.” Some FHS members believe that the previous neutral-site AA wins helped the Flathead team at Helena. “It was deserved,” said junior Mike Palchak, who placed first in extemporaneous speaking. “We’ve been fighting for a number of years to win. We proved we can beat Bozeman.” According to some coaches, this year’s team was carried on the wings of the team’s work ethic. “This was the hardest working group I’ve ever been around,” said coach Sean O’Donnell. “Every time I asked them to step it up, they did.” O’Donnell was a big reason for the title, according to Adkins. “If O’Donnell doesn’t win coach of the year, they should throw away the award,” said Adkins. During the awards ceremony, the team went through a tearful celebration as the title was announced. “It was really overwhelming,” said senior Alyson Short. “I didn’t realize how significant beating Bozeman was until the state meet.” Adkins said the year-long theme of “a class act” was most apparent during the awards ceremony, and in 10 years “this is what I’ll remember about the team.” “When the Bozeman awards were announced, our kids actually clapped for them,” said Adkins. “It was neat to see. (Our team) was so classy and so hardworking.” After the ceremony, the team had dinner that according to members was a celebration, mixed with sadness. Members spoke, gave thanks and reminisced about a successful year. “The dinner was a combination of joy and happiness,” said Galvin. “Joy because we finally won, but sorrow because it was our last meet.” Next season, the team figures to be even better, as the main point-getters in the speech events will return. “I think we’ll be better for years to come,” said O’Donnell. “Our kids just seem to get better every year.” Said Hashley: “When love and skill come together, expect a miracle.” |
