The first Grizzlies Forensics Invitational is in the books as 16 high schools and 180 students competed on Jan. 25-26 at The Bear Creek School’s campus in Redmond. Participants considered the tournament a success because it ran on time over the course of the two-day event. One coach described the tournament as “the Cadillac of tournaments.” Participation is expected to grow next year, since the comments received from competitors, coaches and judges were positive:

“This is the best tournament I’ve attended in four years of debate.”

“I have never attended a more well-organized tournament.”

“The smiling faces and genuine warmness of the Bear Creek staff made this tournament more relaxing than most.”

Here are the official results of The Bear Creek School students: • Open Impromptu: senior Katie Gomulkiewicz, third place

• Novice Impromptu: sophomore Semilore Sobande, first place; sophomore Jesse Domingo, finalist

• Dramatic Interpretation (open, novice together): Sobande, second place

• Humorous Interpretation (open, novice together): senior Jake Casale, first place; Domingo, fourth place

• Duo Interpretation (open, novice together): Gomulkiewicz/Casale, first place

• Open Oratory: sophomore Grace Carruth, third place; Gomulkiewicz, fourth place

• Open Interpretive Reading: Carruth, second place

• Congress: Gomulkiewicz, second place

• Super Congress qualifiers: Gomulkiewicz, junior Caroline Bridgwater, Domingo and freshman Caleb Ji

• Novice Lincoln Douglas: senior Sam Stansell, first place

• Open Lincoln Douglas: Sobande, third place