A series to share #smiles across our community through the achievements of our local youth, brought to you by Olsen Orthodontics.
Riverton High School Speech & Debate opened its varsity season with a strong showing at the Evanston Tournament held Jan. 9th and 10th, 2026, earning multiple event titles, a deep list of finalists, and taking home 1st Place Small Schools as a team. Competing against programs from across the state, Riverton students brought home top finishes in debate and speech, signaling an early-season surge for the Wolverine squad.
Riverton posted strong results in policy debate, placing three teams in the top three. Aurora Baldes and Paige Wood captured 1st place, while Jenny Nguyen and Caroline King earned 2nd, and Mya Brackeen and Terak Brown finished 3rd. Riverton also reached the finals in Public Forum, with Kapri Miller and Royce Hancock taking 2nd place, and in Lincoln-Douglas debate, where Brayden Thacker made it to finals, placing 2nd place in his very first varsity competition.
Riverton’s speech competitors also posted standout results, led by Hollis Neilson, who took 1st place in Humorous Interpretation. In Oratory, Riverton dominated the field with Jenny Nguyen earning 1st place and Kapri Miller taking 2nd, along with additional finalists Sheridan Goldsberry in 5th and Danie Erb in 6th. Nguyen’s weekend added another major highlight for the team, while Caroline King advanced to semifinals in Oratory, adding to Riverton’s depth in the event.
Other top finishes included Austyn Chitwood winning 1st place in Impromptu, with James Pierson also reaching the finals in 5th place. Riverton added more hardware with Emerie Couganour taking 2nd place in Drama, Austin Strickland earning 3rd place in Program Oral Interpretation (POI), and Aquinnah Wiblemo and Hollis Neilson placing 3rd in Duo. In Extemporaneous Speaking, Mya Brackeen placed 4th, while Riverton’s Congressional Debaters also landed near the top, with Aquinnah Wiblemo taking 3rd place and Royce Hancock placing 4th.
Riverton also posted key semifinal finishes beyond the finalists list, with both Qwanell Davis and Royce Hancock advancing to semifinals in Impromptu. In Congressional Debate, Riverton students James Pierson and Brayden Thacker earned spots in Super Congress, an additional recognition reserved for top-performing congressional competitors at the tournament.
With a slate of champions, finalists, and semifinalists across nearly every event, Riverton returns home from Evanston with momentum heading into the heart of the season. They are hosting their home tournament this upcoming weekend and appreciate the community for their support.