Practices and competitions are in full swing for the SPHS Speech Team for 2026! The season has gotten off to a smooth start, with students quickly finding their footing and performing well at meets.
This year’s team is made up largely of younger students, including both middle and high schoolers, who have shown impressive dedication early on. Speech Team members have the options of competing in various categories, including Creative Expression, Duo Interpretation, Extemporaneous Reading, Extemporaneous Speaking, Great Speeches, Humorous Interpretation, Informative, Original Oratory, Serious Discussion, Serious Poetry, Serious Prose, and Storytelling.
(PICTURED ABO VE) Members of the 2026 Saints Speech team, shown here at a recent meet, include: front row (l to r), Elise Carter, Julia Nienow, Himalaya Harrison, Theory Harrison, Makenzie Moeller, Maya Knutson; back row, Greta Stoffregen, Iris Sharstrom, Zac Hall, Addie Maxfield, Britney Vogt, Jazmyn Hermel-Eggers, Sadie Albrecht. Not pictured is Ahnki Smuder.
There is a lot to look forward to in this speech season. Head Coach Erika Carlson comments that this year’s group of students makes up a fun, excited, and vibrant team. Additionally, quite a few competitors are double-entering for the first time (competing in two events), which is especially exciting!
Carlson also speaks to those considering joining the team: “I try to encourage students to start young (7th-8th grade) to give them the advantage to grow as a speaker. Most of my high school State Finalists and Champions are ones that start in middle school. This is truly an activity for everyone, from the hyper-competitive to students who just want to improve their speaking skills. This is a realm for writers, storytellers, researchers, conversationalists, and dreamers.”
SPHS senior Addy Maxfield has been on the Speech Team since 7th grade, and she reflects on her fulfilling experience: “Being in speech has taught me to carry myself in a respectable, professional manner and how to convey emotions and communicate in an understandable way to others. Participating in speech has also taught me to be myself. No one person is the same in speech, and everyone is from different walks of life coming together for the love of the same things, to talk to walls, scream in mostly empty classrooms, bus talks, and all the things Speech.”
Addy’s time on the Speech Team has been incredibly meaningful, and as an upperclassman, she is looking forward to welcoming new members and passing on the fun traditions the team has.
The remaining Saints' Speech schedule is listed below:
Saturday, March 14 - at Eagan
Thursday, March 19 - at Big South Showcase (Redwood Valley HS)
Saturday, March 21 - at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton
Saturday, March 28 - Fairmont
Saturday, April 18 - Section 2AA meet at Mankato East
Friday, April 24 - Minnesota State Speech Meet at Park Center HS
The Saints' speech team's meet results to date include the following:
Mankato East Meet (Feb. 28)
(Finals)
Addy Maxfield - 5th in Poetry
Theory Harrison - 6th in Storytelling
(Novice)
Elise Carter - 1st in Extemporaneous Reading
Sadie Albrecht - 3rd in Prose
Mankato West Meet (Feb. 21)
(Finals)
Sadie Albrecht - 2nd in Prose
Sadie Albrecht - 3rd in Poetry
Theory Harrison - 6th in Storytelling
(Novice)
Elise Carter - 1st in Extemporaneous Reading
Makenzie Moeller & Theory Harrison - 1st in Duo
Elise Carter & Greta Stoffregen - 2nd in Duo
Mankato Loyola Meet (Feb. 14)
(Finals)
Sadie Albrecht - 1st in Prose
(Novice)
Elise Carter & Greta Stoffregen - 1st in Duo
Elise Carter - 1st in Extemporaneous Reading
Theory Harrison - 1st in Storytelling
Makenzie Moeller & Theory Harrison - 2nd in Duo
Makenzie Moeller - 3rd in Creative Expression
Prior Lake Meet (Feb. 7)
(Novice)
Mackenzie Moeller & Theory Harrison - 2nd in Duo
Elise Carter & Greta Stoffregen - 3rd in Duo
Elise Carter - 5th in Extemporaneous Reading