SHAKOPEE — Rural Northern Minnesota has four state champs after the Minnesota State High School League's state Speech meet April 25-26 at Shakopee High School.
All four come from Class A: Red Lake County’s Hayden Shulstad in Discussion, Thief River Falls' Javyn Eidelbes in Serious Interpretation of Prose, Staples-Motley's Laken Hines in Humorous Interpretation and Staples-Motley's Olivia Opheim in Informative Speaking.
Northern Minnesota took the top two spots in two categories. Red Lake County's Hannah Dudycha was the runner-up in Informative Speaking, and Pequot Lakes' Samantha McMahon was the runner-up in Serious Interpretation of Prose.
Brynn Bestland from Staples-Motley took second in Serious Interpretation of Drama, and Elyana Hewitt from Hermantown was the Class AA Great Speeches runner-up.
Cherry's Charlene Kowarsch was the region's sole bronze medalist, placing in Great Speeches.
Eight more speakers medaled at the A meet from Laporte, Pequot Lakes, Cherry, Park Rapids, Staples-Motley and Crookston, and one more medaled at the 2A meet from Brainerd.
Staples-Motley finished fourth as a team in Class A with 37 points. Finalists earn points toward the team score based on how they finish, with champions earning eight points and eighth place earning one.
Red Lake County tied for seventh among the 47 1A teams with 15 points.
Find full results on the MSHSL website.
