WAUSA – The Wausa High School speech team came close to talking its way to a third straight state team title, but had to settle for second place this year.
Wausa was the runner-up at the 2024 Nebraska School Activities Association State Speech Championships for Class D1 on March 22 at Kearney High School.
Plainview won the state team title with 172 points, ahead of Wausa’s 144 points and Howells-Dodge’s 106 points. Wausa also placed second as a team behind Plainview at the District D1-3 speech meet on March 12.
Husband-and-wife duo Kyle and Samantha Stevens are the co-coaches of the Wausa speech team.
“We had a great day at State,” Kyle Stevens said. “Each student really came up big in a high-pressure situation. We brought nine entries to state, and all nine made finals. That was huge. If we were going to compete for a championship, we needed to qualify everyone and the kids really showed their talent.”
Here are Wausa’s results from the state meet: - Duet Acting: Sophomore Braydon Hoesing and freshman Rogan Hoesing, state champions.
- Entertainment Speaking: Senior Holly Johnson, second place; sophomore Luke Woockman, third place.
- Program of Oral Interpretation: Sophomore Braydon Hoesing, second place.
- Persuasive Speaking: Senior Claire Kumm, third place.
- Serious Prose: Senior Holly Johnson, third place; junior Kendall Story, fifth place.
- Humorous Prose: Sophomore Braydon Hoesing, fourth place.
- Oral Interpretation of Drama: Senior Holly Johnson, senior Claire Kumm, senior Cade Wakeley, junior Kendall Story and sophomore Avery Stevens, fourth place.
“I was very happy with my placings and it was a great honor,” Johnson said. “I was really proud of the state team this year. Everyone who made it to state got a medal and did a really great job.” Wakeley agreed with Johnson.
“I feel that we all did a great job in our events, especially with all the competition there,” Wakeley said.
As for Wausa’s runner-up finish, Wakeley said, “I feel that my reaction was more shocked because of how far we have come this season. We worked hard and it all paid off in the end.”
Johnson noted she was happy to get to experience the state meet with her friends, as this was the last time she will go as a Wausa student.
“My state trip this year was really fun and bittersweet,” Johnson said. “This season has been so great and I owe it all to the Stevenses. They truly are talented coaches.”
Wakeley and his teammates were excited because all of Wausa’s speech events that qualified for the state meet made finals.
“My state speech trip this year was very fun, and I am proud of how hard we all worked,” Wakeley said.
Kyle Stevens noted he and Samantha “are so proud of this team.”
“The kids competed at the highest level at state,” he said. “We finished runner-up to a great Plainview team. We were so pleased with how the kids competed and responded all day long.
“These kids, the whole team, worked so hard all season long,” he said. “Each student on this team is important to its success. We are just so happy for everyone. Both Samantha and I are so proud to have been a part of this team.”
