Tyrone Speech Team coach Mr. Richard Merryman was carried from Williamsburg High School on the shoulders of his victorious team after they received the Best Overall Team Award at the final competition of the 2013-14 season on Wednesday, April 9.

Tyrone competed against Juniata Valley and Williamsburg High Schools in several categories including junior high poetry, senior high poetry, humorous, and serious.

“Thanks to the efforts of all the speech team participants and thanks to the mathematical genius of Mr. Coleman and Mr. Owens, we were able to come in with two 1st place winners and carry home the first team trophy in five years,” said Coach Merryman on the team’s achievement.

“I got carried [on the team’s shoulders] and they didn’t drop me. I thought they were going to,” added Merryman.

Six Tyrone students competed by reading from their category of choice.

Seth Umholtz won the Best Overall Award with a score of 63 out of 64 points.

Paige Umholtz took home Best Junior High with a score of 61 out of 64.

“I was proud of Tyrone’s showing. Everyone did their part and we brought home the win,” said freshman Paige Umholtz, “I thought I did well but I think with a little more practice I could have done better.”

Each student read their speech of choice in front of several judges and was scored out of a total of 64 points based on different criteria, such as voice speed, voice inflection, and eye contact.

“It’s really sad that [Speech Team] is coming to an end for me. It was great to go out the way I did. It’s stuff of dreams to carry Richard Merryman on your shoulders,” said senior Seth Umholtz,  “I hope the butt kicking from Tyrone continues.”