It's time to talk to the wall

If you walk into the Orchard gym Saturday morning and see students talking to the wall, it means speech season is underway.

The Clearwater/Orchard Invite is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 18.

Coach Katie Schneider said 17 students comprise the OC team, including Jacob Behnk, James Kester, Faith King, Brynna Umphress, Sarai Mendoza, Jackie Olivan, Maryssa Long, Cassidy Bearinger, Kylie Hewitt, Grace Maxwell, Keara Summers, Larissa Thomson, Madleen Reipen, Madison Melcher, Lizett Marino, Levi Cronk and Andrew Pearson.

OC will also attend meets at Howells on Jan. 22; Stuart, Feb. 8; Wausa, Feb. 15; Fullerton, Feb. 22; Keya Paha, March 2 and Creighton, March 7.

District competition is slated for March 18 at Creighton, with the NSAA State Speech Championships scheduled for March 26 and 27 at the University of Nebraska Kearney.