For the third consecutive year, the Kearney High speech team won the Norfolk "Roger Maxwell Invite." The Bearcats scored 730 points and had champions in eight of twelve events to pass second place Millard North with 583. North Platte placed third with 326 in a field of ten schools.
Three Bearcats were double champions: Keegan Potthoff in duo interpretation and group drama, Jessa Newby in informative and group drama, and Maggie Konz in oratory and group drama. Potthoff's partner in the first-place duo was Karlee Currin. Chris Lyons was the final member of the winning group drama, "Golf: The Musical," with Newby, Potthoff, and Konz.
Kearney High had four additional champions: Katie Nelson in dramatic interpretation, Hanna Allen in entertainment, Tiffany Valleau in novice interpretation, and Sullivan Moore in novice public address. For Nelson and Konz, this was the third consecutive year they have won their individual events at the Norfolk Invite, dramatic interpretation and oratory.
Runners-up in the tournament included Grace Manley in informative, Potthoff in humorous interpretation, Emily Nelson in novice extemporaneous, Valleau in novice public address, and the group drama, "Seuss Odyssey," with Emelie Berke, Kyleigh Skaggs, Ryan Swensen, Drew Syring and Nelson.
Additional medalists included the third-place group drama, "Little Shop of Horrors," with Anna Nelson, Rachel Kermmoade, Wyatt Behn, Manley, and Moore. Farah Imtiaz and Anna Nelson finished third in duo; Imtiaz was also sixth in poetry. Kelsey Reiman placed fifth in both extemporaneous and entertainment. Taylor Garrison was fifth in novice public address, and teammate Cassie Kernick was third. Sarah Walsh placed fifth in oratory. Kermmoade also earned sixth in dramatic interpretation.
The Bearcats will compete at Lincoln East on Saturday, November 21, and are coached by Mary Alice Konz.