All seven students from Knoxville High School, and two from Melcher-Dallas High School, received top rankings at this weekend’s state speech competition.

Three Knoxville students earned Division I rankings in Spontaneous Speaking; they are Nyan Baker, Asa Leonard and Tierney Heffron. Also receiving top ratings were Katelynn Collins in Solo Musical Theater, Johanna Leonard for Literary Program, Alaina Gerdes for Original Oratory and Jaron Sedlock for Storytelling. Sedlock also claimed a Division II rating in Expository Address.

Melcher-Dallas saw Division I ratings for J’Lyn Knutson in Storytelling, and Sarah Hyatt for Literary Program and Acting.

Receiving Division II rankings were Abby Tadder for Review and After Dinner Speaking; Elizabeth Milburn for Poetry and Solo Musical Theatre; Cameron Davis for Prose and Original Oratory; Evan Putz for Prose and Radio News; Grace Overgaard for Radio News, Emma Heaberlin for Prose; and Aeria Turner for Poetry.

A total of nine students performed in 14 categories.