Debate Team Successful Again

Utah State University's debate team returned from Lewis State College in Lewiston, Idaho, and its second conference tournament. The team placed first in its division and second overall for the tournament. Sixteen universities from six states competed.

 

USU's team competes against more than 30 universities in a five-state area that makes up the Northwest Forensic Conference. With this showing and with one tournament left in the season, Utah State's team should take its second Northwest Forensic Conference title, according to volunteer coach Tom Worthen.

 

For the second time this year the Aggies were the only school that had all its debate teams compete in elimination rounds.

 

In debate, the team of Chelsi Sutton and Eric Peatross placed second. Eric Whitehead and Jane McBride were the only undefeated team in preliminary rounds, and finished the tournament taking third place with a seven-win, one-loss record. The debate teams of Tom Grover-Richard Walker and Di Lewis-Shannon Johnson tied for fourth place.

 

Utah State dominated the public speaking events with 10 informative and persuasive speeches going to the final round, coach Worthen said.

 

In individual speeches, Chelsi Sutton placed second in informative speaking, second in extemporaneous speaking, second in impromptu speaking, third in persuasive speaking and was selected as the fourth best individual debater.  Eric Peatross placed second in persuasive speaking and sixth in informative speaking. Richard Walker placed third in informative speaking. Di Lewis placed fourth in informative speaking, third in persuasive speaking and was selected as the second best individual debater. Jane McBride placed fourth in persuasive speaking. Shannon Johnson placed fifth in persuasive speaking and third as the best individual debater. Tom Grover placed sixth in extemporaneous speaking and was recognized as the ninth best individual debater. Eric Whitehead placed fifth in informative speaking.

 

Utah State's debate team next travels in January to the University of Utah and Western Washington.

 

For more information on the debate team or the results, contact Worthen at (435) 994-0023. The debate team is associated with the Department of Languages, Philosophy and Speech Communication.