2023 Speech: Mrazek of Staples-Motley earns rare fifth medal in Class A
Posted: Saturday, April 29, 2023 - 8:09 PM
Luke Bates and Caden Mrazek of Staples-Motley accept their championship medals at the 2023 Speech State Tournament.
Caden Mrazek of Staples-Motley was the talk of the Class A tournament after becoming only the third person in tournament history to earn five medals. Mrazek placed in Humorous Interpretation in 2018, 2019 and 2021, before winning Duo Interpretation with Luke Bates in 2022. Mrazek earned his historic fifth medal with another Duo Interpretation win with Bates this year.
Sacred Heart’s Ben Senger was the first five-time medalist in 1996. Kaitlyn Berry of Walker-Hackensack-Akeley duplicated the feat in 2008.
The other 2023 champions are: Micah Larson of Staples-Motley in Creative Expression; Richard Sylak of Zumbrota-Mazeppa in Discussion; Brooklyn Goelz of Pipestone Area in Extemporaneous Reading; Frances Martin of Mounds Park Academy in Extemporaneous Speaking; Ian Kronbeck of Hawley in Great Speeches; Rebecca Copeman of Chatfield in Humorous Interpretation; Rowan Mulrooney of Mounds Park in Informative Speaking; Zaara Nayak of Mounds Park Academy in Original Oratory; Savanna Loken of Cotter Schools in Serious Interpretation of Drama; Gavin Eischens of St. Clair in Serious Interpretation of Poetry; Pahwa Yang of Mounds Park Academy in Serious Interpretation of Prose; and Ellie Heller of Melrose Area in Storytelling.
Eight of this year’s champions, including Bates, were successful in earning their second medals. They others were: Larson of Staples-Motley; Kronbeck of Hawley; Copeman of Chatfield; Heller of Melrose Area; and Marten, Nayak and Yang of Mounds Park Academy.
Including Mrazek and Bates, five of last year’s seven defending champions were successful in striking gold for a second consecutive year. Sylak of Zumbrota-Mazeppa earned his third medal in Discussion and Nayak of Mounds Park Academy defended her crown in Original Oratory. Ellie Heller of Melrose Area won her second title in Storytelling.
The remaining defending champions also competed in the same categories as 2022. Drew Pundsack of Melrose Area placed second in Creative Expression and Akshay Somayajula of Mounds Park Academy claimed runner-up honors in Great Speeches.
In the team sweepstakes, Mounds Park Academy came out on top with 65 points and four gold medals. Melrose Area and Chatfield placed second and third, respectively. This year’s event was held at Eastview High School on Saturday, April 29.
Complete results are posted here: 2023 Class A Speech Results.
