Debate team places second

Even after placing second at their most recent tournament, USU’s debate team is still holding fast to the number one overall spot in the Northwest Forensic Conference.

“It was really really awesome,” said Tom Worthen, debate team coach. “We had one of the smaller teams at the tournament, but were still one of the highest scoring teams there. We don’t have quantity. We have quality and kids who work hard.”

USU finished four points behind the winning team, Pacific University.

“It was very very close. It was awesome, but it was so close to first that it was kind of frustrating, too,” Worthen said.

The debate team placed third in their first tournament held in October.

Because they placed behind a different team in this second meet, Worthen said that with their total points, they are still in first place overall.

Worthen said he has never had a team take home such a high percentage of trophies in just one tournament. Out of 17 individual speeches, USU took home 15 trophies.

Team member Mike Smith said he was pleased with the team’s success, especially when taking into account the number of people who participated.

“As a school, we did incredibly well. Considering only seven students were there and we placed second when teams usually have a membership of 30, we did really well,” Smith said.

Three students from USU were recognized as the best speakers at the tournament. Trevor Linderman placed as the third best speaker. Di Lewis and Shannon Johnson were recognized as the fourth and fifth best, respectively.

Individual winners include Natalie Cook, who received third place in informative speaking and also took third place for after dinner speaking.

Bryce Draper placed second in after dinner speaking and received fifth place for his performance in junior persuasion.

Johnson took first place in after dinner speaking, first in extemporaneous speaking and fourth place in junior persuasion and Lewis placed first in junior persuasion, third place in character debate and third in prose interpretation.

Linderman, Eric Peatross and Smith also placed individually. Linderman placed first in informative speaking, second in dramatic duo interpretation and second in junior persuasion. In open persuasion, Peatross placed first. He also took second in dramatic duo interpretation. Smith received second place in junior informative speaking and third place in novice persuasive speaking.

The team’s second meet was held in McMinnville, Ore., where they competed against 21 other universities.

The season’s final tournament will be in January.

ariek@cc.usu.edu