Flathead Speech Team Opens Rebuilding Season
Flathead Valley high schools began the 2026-27 speech and debate season with new coaches and rebuilt rosters.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Secondary Education
Flathead Valley high schools began the 2026-27 speech and debate season, with the Class AA opening tournament scheduled Nov. 7 in Missoula. Flathead is rebuilding after losing most of its team to graduation last year.
Why it matters
Speech and debate programs in Montana compete for state titles, and turnover at several schools reshapes the Class AA and Class A fields. Coaching changes and rebuilt rosters will determine how competitive these programs remain across statewide events.
Flathead finished one point ahead of Glacier for second place at last year's state tournament, while Bozeman won by 2.5 points. Glacier has more than 130 students signed up for speech and debate this season.
The players
Kelli Rosenquist
Rosenquist is the head coach of the Flathead High School speech and debate program in her second season leading the team.
Greg Adkins
Adkins is the head coach of the Glacier High School speech and debate program, which has more than 130 students signed up this season.
Jason Brown
Brown is the new head coach of the Whitefish High School speech and debate team, replacing Sarah Mueller, who led the program for 12 years.
The details
Kelli Rosenquist is entering her second season as Flathead head coach, and the staff added former competitors as assistants. Glacier, coached by Greg Adkins, relies on large numbers, experience, and a staff that includes former competitors.
Timeline
Nov. 7: Class AA season opening tournament in Missoula
Dec. 5: Whitefish speech and debate tournament
Dec. 11-12: Kalispell Western Regional tournament hosted by Glacier
Jan. 29-30: Class AA state championship in Great Falls
Season Trajectory
Under Montana's Class A and Class AA structure, the state title race depends heavily on which programs retain or rebuild their rosters each year. Flathead's rebuilding and Bozeman's defending title set up a contest where the top programs' margins were narrow last season.
Families with students in Flathead, Glacier, and Whitefish will see new coaching staff and rebuilt rosters shaping their children's competitive schedules this winter. Parents can track tournament dates, including the Dec. 11-12 Kalispell Western Regional hosted by Glacier, to plan travel and attendance.
The takeaway
Students interested in competitive speaking can check their school's speech and debate program schedule for upcoming tournaments. Watching the Nov. 7 Missoula opener offers an early look at how rebuilt rosters are performing.
What happens next
The Class AA season opening tournament takes place Nov. 7 in Missoula, followed by the Class AA state championship Jan. 29-30 in Great Falls.
Further reading
Explore more on Secondary Education in Montana.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Inter Lake.
