Speech and Debate Team Captures Fifth State Title in Six Years

Acton, Mass. — The cheers from the Catholic Memorial Speech and Debate team as the second-place team was announced at the Massachusetts Speech and Debate League Championship at Acton-Boxborough High School said it all. With the placement of every other team announced, it was at that moment that it became clear that CM was bringing home another state championship.

Backed by strong performances across the board, including 15 top-three finishes, the team took home their fifth MSDL Championship in six years. 

“Being able to have coached a lot of the kids and Brother Cavet putting in so much work, it means a lot. It's a year-long activity, so for everyone to put in the work and to get our moment to shine feels amazing,” co-captain Aidan Healy '22 said.

CM was led by four first-place finishes from three speakers. Sean Fay ‘22 repeated as the state champion in Impromptu while Patrick Blomberg '24 took first in Declamation and Program Oral Interpretation. Samuel Cahill Farella ‘23 won Radio with CM taking the top three spots in the category. 

The repeat win by Fay was confirmation that last year’s out of nowhere win wasn’t by luck as the senior went from being an absolute novice to one of the favorites in the event.

“The first year I thought it was a fluke because I went in as a wild card and then this year was my chance to prove to myself it wasn't a fluke,” he said. 

Second place medals went to Johnny Cardarelli ‘23 in Children’s Literature, Jack Hood ‘22 in Group Discussion, Charles Kettlewell ‘22 in Reading, Samson Persson ‘24 in Novice Oral Interpretation, and Blomberg in Prose.

Third-place awards went to Will Cummings ‘22 and James Julian ‘22 for Duo Interpretation, Declan Gilmartin ‘23 for Play Reading, Jerry Sewack ‘22 for Poetry Reading, Colin Bligh ‘23 for Radio, Kai Kitchens ‘23 for Prose, and the team of Owen Crowley '23, Declan Gilmartin '23, Aidan Floyd '23, Christopher Lustig '23 for Multiple.

Other placements include:

The team will now turn their focus to May’s National Catholic Forensics League Grand Nationals in Washington D.C. and June’s National Speech and Debate Competition in Louisville, Kentucky.