Staples-Motley is proudly home to two new state speech champions following an outstanding showing at the 2025 MSHSL Class A State Speech Tournament in Shakopee yesterday.
Laken Hines captured first place in the Humor category, while Olivia Opheim earned first place honors in Informative Speaking, bringing home gold medals for Staples-Motley.
The Cardinals had more to celebrate as Brynn Bestland finished second in Drama, and Walker Johnson placed seventh in Creative Expression.
Other area competitors also made their mark at the state tournament:
- Reese Hunt of Perham captured a state championship in Original Oratory.
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Annabelle Wattenhofer of UNC took fourth in Creative Expression.
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Clodarl Seeman of Perham placed sixth in Creative Expression.
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Brooke Sonsalla of New York Mills finished seventh in Discussion.
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Alexander Stormoen and Adrianna Eckel of Browerville/Eagle Valley placed seventh in Duo.
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Isabelle Langager of Parkers Prairie finished eighth in Great Speeches.
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Samuel Asmus of Browerville/Eagle Valley earned sixth place in Humor.
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Teo Lecoustre of Perham placed fourth in Drama.
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Abagail Marsden of Park Rapids finished sixth in Poetry.
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Payton Lausten of New York Mills earned fifth in Prose.
Find full results from the 2025 State Speech Tournament here.