For the third time in school history, Westonka Speech has captured the Wright County Speech Conference Championship, sharing the title with Jordan High School this year. A total of 26 members of the Westonka speech team competed at Watertown-Mayer High School on Feb. 28.

Fifteen MWHS students won awards. Seniors Samantha Kummrow and Ellen Pruitt and ninth grader Hannah Christenson were named WCC champions.

Each student who won an award (Top 8) also earned sweepstakes points for the Westonka speech team. The higher the student’s placement, the more points earned. At the end of the night, the team with the most points earned the conference title.

“Each and every student who participated gave it their all and contributed to our team’s success,” said coach Megan Lhotka. “I am so proud of them! We have so many things to look forward to and I’m confident they will keep the momentum going.”

Wright County Conference Championship Award Winners

Conference Champions

Senior Samantha Kummrow – Drama
Senior Ellen Pruitt – Informative
Ninth grader Hannah Christenson – Poetry

Third Place

Junior Brooque Moy – Drama
Senior Brecken Thompson – Humorous Interpretation
Senior Connor Houston – Prose

Fourth Place

Junior Thomas Duggan and senior Wade Carlin – Duo
Ninth grader Ava Daum – Original Oratory

Fifth Place

Eighth grader August Lang – Extemp Reading
Eighth grader Orrin Butterfield – Storytelling

Sixth Place

Junior Averie Zealley – Informative

Seventh Place

Junior Ingrid Wulf – Original Oratory

Eighth Place

Junior Mason Butzow – Drama
Seventh grader Zachary Van Nelson – Storytelling

Westonka students who also competed at the WCC Championships included senior Cece Linkert; juniors Anna Wood and Kolton Soppeland; sophomores Shiann Covin and Calvin Pouchnik; ninth graders Emilia Andrev, Nathan Carlson and Zoe Wood; eighth grader Ida Butterfield; and seventh graders Sadie Mulder and Lauren Tschimperle.

The speech team is coached by Megan Lhotka, Heidi Richardson-Duggan, Kelsey Rausch and Katherine Kreger.