"Blake Wehrman has truly grown into a position of leader in so many ways. This year, Blake has become the cornerstone of our Speech and Debate program as President and Debate Captain, and the same can be said of his role in the Marching Band as a Drum Major. Blake has first and foremost made these activities a fun and inviting space for all to be a part of. This inclusivity has translated into three runner-up state championships between the two programs. His mentorship of younger students is consistent and has elevated each program's expectations. I would be remiss to not note his personal success. Blake is currently ranked in the top 10 in the state of Colorado for speech and Debate, and he has achieved success on a national level. His curiosity has consistently pushed him forward. He is the kind of leader all coaches hope to have at some point in their career." - Louis Uribe, Speech and Debate Coach

Student Name

Blake Wehrman

School

University High School

Grade Level

Senior

Sports

• Speech & Debate
• Marching Band
• Cross Country

Position(s)

• (Respectively) Team President
• Drum Major

Stats

• NSDA Congressional Debate Quarterfinalist
• NIETOC Impromptu Semifinalist
• 2-time All State Symphonic Band 1st Trombone
• 2-time Combined League Principal Trombonist
• 2025 CHSAA 2A Marching Band Runner Up
• 1900+ NSDA Merit Points

"I'm always pretty proud whenever the novices I teach in Speech and Debate go on to win their events."

What's one goal you're currently working towards in your sport?

"In Speech, I'm focused on building background knowledge in topic areas I don't know much about. I currently spend a lot of practice time covering Southeast Asia and Western Africa; reading books, think tank articles, podcasts, etc. to close my knowledge gap.

In band, I'm working on my double tonguing. If I can double tongue fast enough by the end of the year, everyone in the band gets trinkets!"

Describe your worst sports performance. What did you learn from this experience? 

"At marching band regionals this past year, I slipped on field after performing my solo. I literally fell right in front of a line of sousaphones and trombones that was about to run me over, so I had to get up fast to avoid being rended apart. Point being, making mistakes is part of the learning process, but recovering quickly is key."   

How do you balance sports with other responsibilities like school or work?

"Staying organized. The only times I've truly felt overwhelmed in my life have been when I have so many obligations that some simply drop out of my mental palace. If you write everything down, keep your calendar tidy, and reduce distractions, becoming overwhelmed will be a rarity." 

What are your career or college plans after you graduate high school? 

"I'm going to UNC to get my Bachelor's in business economics. Afterwards, my ideal plan is to go to grad school and to pursue a career in monetary policy." 

What advice do you have for younger athletes who want to join your sport?

"Never lose sight of why you're competing. In both Speech and Debate and band, it's so easy to fixate on the traditional hallmarks of success: trophies, high chairs, high notes, etc., but obviously, all of these sources of motivation are extrinsic and artificial.

In the band world, our end goal is always the pursuit of immaterial, indefinable beauty; in debate, our goal is to make sense of the world through reasoning critically. Both of these goals are unquantifiable, which makes pursuing them difficult, but that doesn't make it any less important to do so. There can be no greater tragedy than forgoing either for the sake of some mass produced, gold spray-painted plastic. 

Also, don't cite the Cato Institute."

Do you have any funny pre-game rituals or superstitions that you stick to?

"Before every round of debate, I make a small offering of coins and legal pad paper to Fed chair Jerome Powell so that just as he mogs the economy, I may mog the round."

If you were to participate in a talent show unrelated to your sport, what would your act be?

"I like the idea of dressing up as The Riddler and asking the judges a bunch of riddles. There's no talent involved. I just think it would be funny."