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They aren't national champions.

But their weeklong trip certainly wasn't a wash.

"To make it to nationals and do a personal best in both duo and poetry, there's nothing more I could ask for," Emily Norris said.

Norris and Tanya Rinehart, who will be seniors at Moffat County High School in the fall, competed in duo interpretation and poetry events this week at the National Forensic League's national tournament in Wichita and Derby, Kan.

They did not make the initial duo cut to 60 teams, so they then competed in poetry individually. Rinehart completed two rounds with her piece, "Local Anesthesia." Norris survived two eliminations, completing four rounds, with her piece, "I Am."

But no worries. The girls said making it to nationals in the first place was honor enough.

"I got a lot of experience," Rinehart said. "I did a total of eight rounds. Every time I saw a different piece. I didn't see the same one twice. I got to see how other people portray emotions, and it's a big part of acting."

Learning from their competitors was a large part of the girls' nationals experience, particularly because they are the first Moffat County students to qualify in six years.

"Every state or district has a different style of doing things ... so to see all the different types of pieces and different emotions, that was just amazing," Norris said. "I learned a lot of things I can take away."

Culture outside Craig

The trip also marked a cultural experience for the girls. At nationals, the pieces they saw, many of which were ethnically driven, were more controversial than ones they've seen in Colorado.

"People seem to be more daring with their pieces," Rinehart said. "They seem to grasp the concept of there's a whole world out there."

She said speech reminds her to be open-minded and hear two sides to arguments.

"In Craig, we're surrounded by the same type of people all the time," Rinehart said. "When you're at speech tournaments, you get to see people for who they are."

Eric Hansen, Moffat County's Speech and Debate Team coach, said the difference is the students' attitudes.

"Speech is one of those things that you compete against people but you're not their mortal enemies," he said. "It just breeds a whole different interaction with the other schools."

Norris agreed.

She and Rinehart saw some Colorado friends at nationals and made some new ones, including competitors from Texas, Alabama and Alaska.

"I like how it's not as competitive as sports," Norris said. "You're friends with your competition."

The girls also gained valuable life skills, Hansen said. Among them are research skills, being outgoing and, perhaps most importantly, public speaking ability.

"I think it's something everybody needs in their lives, and I think it's something that a lot of adults aren't comfortable with," Hansen said.

'More prepared now'

Rinehart and Norris said speech has made them comfortable speaking in front of groups, which is helpful for two girls who strive to be college professors. And competing at nationals has just helped that much more.

"I think the experience was definitely really good," Rinehart said. "I think it was really helpful because I got to see what else is out there."

Hansen said he expected stiffer competition at nationals, but learned ways to improve for next year.

"It just gives us an idea of what the next level is that we need to shoot for," Hansen said. "We've seen pretty much all there is to be seen in Colorado. This gives a whole other idea of what there is to compete with."

It gives the coach and girls something to look forward to, especially because Moffat County's team is growing. When Hansen took over as coach three years ago, he had a handful of members. This year, that number reached 30.

"I think that with the potential we have on the team right now, I think (nationals) is something that's totally attainable for next year," Norris said.

Rinehart said she hopes to return next year as she competes in duo and drama interpretation.

"It'd be amazing just because I'm more prepared for it now," Rinehart said. "I know what to expect and I know what to have prepared for it.

"And it's in Vegas."

Michelle Perry can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 213, or mperry@craigdailypress.com.