Rugby’s speech team ended in a familiar spot at the Region 4 speech meet on April 10 in Rugby.

On top.

For the fourth year in a row Rugby won the meet and won eight categories and placed in five others, giving long-time coach Bonita Lindseth, who is retiring at the end of the school term, a nice send off.

“What can I say!,” said Linseth, who was named region coach of the year. “Twelve are going to state and we scored a lot of points.”

The top two finishers in 12 categories, and top three in two others, qualified for the April 24 Class B state speech meet in Mandan.

Zach Rameden won two individual categories. Abigail Jenkins and Theresa Mack each won one and teamed up for another.

Rachel Mack and Tanner Lind each won individual categories while Maddie Cameron and Janessa Veach teamed up for another.

Levi Bachman-Williams finished second in storytelling. Kelsey Schmaltz was second in Radio Broadcasting; Alyssa Berginski second in EPR; Josie Klein second in Dramatic Interpretation; J. Veach in Speech to Entertain; Tashal Trottier in Humorous Interpretation.

Berginski and Bachman-Williams tied for second in Serious Duo and also qualified for state.

While there were so many who turned in strong performances, Lindseth did point out one student – senior Levi Bachman-Williams, who qualified for state by placing second in storytelling and second in serious duo.

“This was his first meet of the year,’ she said. “He just didn’t have time to take part in any of the earlier meets, so I was happy for him he gets the chance to compete at the state competition. Now he will have a few weeks to really prepare.”

Lindseth also took satisfaction in seeing a number of her underclassmen place high among juniors and seniors.

“There is definitely a good core group for the next coach to work with,’ she said.

Of course, Bonita has one more speech meet to watch her students perform at – the Class B state competition.

“Hopefully, we can have some students place,’ she said. “That would be a nice end.”

Wolford placed in four categories, including serious duo where Kali Walsh and Taylor Armstrong teamed up for second and qualified for the Class B state meet.

The two planned on using the speech last year, but Walsh could not take part in the meet. Taylor thought about doing it with another teammate, but decided to hold off and perform it with Walsh this year. That proved to be the right choice, said Diane Fritel, Wolford coach.

“You can’t use the same speech again (at regionals),’ she said.

Five Wolford students participated in the meet.

Kylee Slaubaugh was the next highest finisher, placing fifth in serious interpretation.

North Star (Cando) was runner-up while Starkweather was third. Lakota, Rolla-RL Wolford and Langdon also had students participate.