Saint Peter Public Schools

Throughout her eight years as head coach of the Saint Peter High School Speech Team, Erika Carlson has witnessed students like senior captain Ryan Ranft showcase “immense” growth in skill, confidence, and leadership. For Carlson and Ranft, a new opportunity for success is on the horizon, with the start of their next season mere weeks away. 

Joining Ranft as members of the Saint Peter High School Speech Team are a slew of talented returning students, as well as an unprecedented number of newcomers in the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades. Coach Erika Carlson notes that each year, students return with a greater sense of spirit and enthusiasm than ever before. Seeing young students grow into confident performers is one of Carlson’s favorite aspects of coaching. 

“Seeing a student compete every year from middle school to high school is very rewarding,” Carlson said. “As a middle school student, they have this bright, excited energy, which evolves into determination as they continue honing their skills through high school competitions.”

Carlson encourages any interested students to come watch the team compete at one of their upcoming tournaments.

 “Every year I have juniors and seniors join the team for the first time,” she said. “They always say they wish they’d joined sooner.” 

Senior Ryan Ranft will be starting her third season on the Speech team, and her second season as team captain. For Ranft, the speech team is “like a family”

“I can’t wait to improve with my team and get to know everyone better,” she says fondly. 

Speech team members include seniors Maya Winsell (a STATE QUALIFIER in 2024) and Ryan Ranft; juniors Addy Maxfied and Ruby Sletta; ninth graders Josie Scrabeck, Sadie Albrecht, Britney Vogt, and Jazmyn Hermel-Eggers; eighth graders Iris Sharstrom, Jackson Schoenborn, Himalaya Harrison, Zac Hall, and seventh graders Elis Carter, Greta Stoffregen, Theory Harrison, Michael Dunn, Hattie Godbout, Maddie Bur, Oliver Baxa, and Ahnk Smuder.

After sending a few younger speakers to Prior Lake last weekend for a tournament, the Saints will compete in their first tournament of the season on Saturday, February 8 at Mankato Loyola. The team will also compete at Mankato West on February 15 and Mankato East on February 22. 

Additionally, the team is always looking for volunteer judges to assist with away tournaments – regardless of experience. For more information, please contact Erika Carlson (ecarlson@stpeterschools.org). 

2025 SAINTS SPEECH SCHEDULE
Saturday, Feb. 8 - at Mankato Loyola
Saturday, Feb. 15 - at Mankato West
Saturday, Feb. 22 - at Mankato East
Saturday, March 1 - at Shakopee
Saturday, March 8 - at Eagan
Thursday, March 13 - Big South Conference Meet (at Redwood Valley)
Saturday, March 15 - at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton (Janesville)
Saturday, March 22 - at Fairmont
Saturday, April 5 - at Jordan
Saturday, April 12 - Section 2AA Meet (at Mankato West)