Last week the Speech and Debate and Interp team competed at the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Louisville, marking our 42nd national tournament appearance. Coaches Kerry Konda and Jennifer Lofswold’s teams produced the best overall showing ever. The debate team’s accomplishments even for a coach who has been around for 14 years is still almost unbelievable.
Jordan Phillips- NATIONAL CHAMPION in extemp commentary. (2002 we had Justin Goetz place 2nd) that was out of 267 competitors. She also was National Student of the Year Runner up! This is awarded to 1 student out of the entire country and is based on success, community service and how speech and debate provided the skills to build community. She also placed top 60 in oratory and top 30 in expository.
Lily Williams shattered the school record in Extemp debate with a round 10 appearance and placing 14 in the nation out of 856 entries.
Abiah George and Sami Hegge placed 19 in public forum out of 258 entries. They made round 10. They lost their last round on a 2-1 split and were one of the last three all female teams to advance that far in the tournament.
Kayla Waltman made top 30 in informative speaking. She was closer to top 20.
Aubrey Brockel made top 38 out of 105 entries in Big Question and gave the tournament champion his only loss.
Christine Crouch made top 120 in poetry.
Breanna Wollman made top 120 in expository.
Olivia Johnson and Ashley Crouch made top 60 in expository.
Credit to Kerry Konda for the above information.
Congratulations coaches and speakers!