The Cannon Falls High School Speech team has been doing great things their entire season, starting their season off strong with first place at the Hill Murray Early Bird tournament and ending even stronger with first place at the State Tournament. Little did sophomore Grant Schlichting know, that his success, beginning with second place at the sub-section tournament would end with the title of State Champion.

“I honestly couldn’t believe what was even happening when they announced my name!” Comments Schlichting. After making it to finals and sitting in anticipation for about an hour, it was finally the Extemporaneous Speakers’ turn to go receive their awards. “Even after they announced everyone else and I was the only one left without an award, I thought there must be some mistake!” Exclaimed Schlichting about the awards ceremony. But, there wasn’t any mistake and Grant Schlichting brought home a first place trophy in his category.

However, Schlichting wasn’t the only one to come home a winner. Senior, Matt Breuer, also brought home a first place title in his category, Great Speeches. “This team was one of the hardest working groups we have ever had, from the Early Bird at Hill Murray to the MSHSL State Tournament. We put the work in and the medals and trophies were a byproduct of our effort.” explained Breuer. His win was also piled with emotions, both happy and sad, as this was his final time competing with the team. In the words of Mr. Vande Hoef, English teacher and beloved coach of the speechies, “It was a bittersweet day.” But for many, it wasn’t bittersweet in the way one might expect.

There was heartbreak on both ends of the spectrum, some were upset about not moving on to finals after putting in all of their blood, sweat, and tears, while others were simply crestfallen that this would be their last time competing with the team. “There was a moment after finals were posted where I just kind of realized that I was never going to compete in another speech tournament and that was definitely a bummer.” Confessed Lily French. And after awards, there were many tears to be seen from everyone.

Though the tournament was bittersweet for all, in the end, Cannon Falls brought home nine medalists including two event champions, as well as the first ever first place team trophy at the Minnesota State Speech Tournament. To accomplish this, the team had to compete with 192 teams in class A, of which 100 teams placed someone into the state tournament. “I’m really excited about the successes the team had this year and I feel like we ended on a high note with winning the first ever state champion trophy”, stated Lily French, and all in all, the Cannon Falls speech team put their hearts into this season and because of that they had some great success and made some even greater memories.