Orono High School teams shine in debate and sports competitions

The Orono School District is celebrating a series of impressive achievements across its debate, athletics, and performing arts programs, as highlighted in the recent school board meeting.

The debate team has made a strong start this year, with Simon Forbes and Ethan Weiss achieving a commendable 3-1 record at the Mounds Park Academy tournament. Grace Fisher and Keegan Clares excelled even further, winning the novice division with a perfect 4-0 record and securing the top two spots in speaker points. Their recent participation in the Minnesota Classic State Debate Tournament further showcases their growing prowess.

In athletics, the Spartans are making headlines. Juniors Evelyn Miller and Eli Fish received the MSHSL Excel Award, while seniors Sully Neubauer and Brady Wooley were honored with the MSHSL AAA Award for their excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts. The competition dance team has also shone brightly, taking first place in their first two conference meets, while the kick team secured second place in both events.

The boys' basketball team is off to a strong 2-0 start, defeating top-ranked teams and currently holding the fourth position in Class 3A. The girls' basketball team is also performing well with a 6-1 record, including a notable victory over the defending state champions. Boys' hockey has a 4-2 record, with junior Jackson Knight leading the state in goals scored. Meanwhile, the girls' hockey team boasts an impressive 7-2-2 record and is ranked third in Class 1A.

In Nordic skiing, the boys' team took first place in the Metro West Conference skate race, with the girls' team finishing third. Wrestling is seeing record participation, including girls on the team for the first time in school history, with seventh grader Emery Sukup earning second place in the varsity girls division at a recent invite.

The fall musical, "Anastasia," has also garnered significant recognition. The production received multiple awards for outstanding performance and technical production, and it has been selected to be featured in the Hennepin Theatre Trust's Spotlight Showcase, which celebrates high school theater in Minnesota. Individual honors were awarded to several students for their exceptional contributions to the production.

These accomplishments reflect the dedication and talent of Orono students and staff, showcasing a vibrant school community committed to excellence in various fields. The district looks forward to building on these successes in the coming months.