USU Debate Team Competes in First Tournament of the Season

Utah State University’s Speech and Debate Team competed in its first tournament of the season Sept. 25-26 at the College of Southern Idaho. The eight-member team, including three returning students, placed third in the overall sweepstakes, according to coach Tom Worthen.

Awards were given to the top 10 debate speakers and USU’s team took four of those award.

Annie Worthen received the award as the top speaker for the tournament, while Mariah Andreasen was recognized as the fifth best speaker, Bridgett Baldwin was recognized as the sixth best speaker and Brayden O’Brien was recognized as the eighth best speaker.

The British Parliamentary Debate team of Haylee Hunsaker and Garrett Smith placed second at the tournament and Joseph Allred took fourth place in IPDA debate.

Worthen said students also placed in individual events, with Mariah Andreasen placing third in after dinner speaking, Garrett Smith placing third in persuasive speaking, Ben Powell placing fifth in persuasive speaking, Bridget Baldwin placing sixth in persuasive speaking and Joseph Allred placing sixth in extemporaneous speaking.

“It is great that all eight students received recognition,” Worthen said. “The next tournament, at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore., is the largest comprehensive tournament in the nation. With two weeks to prepare, we will be in a good position to bring home even more awards at that tournament.”

The USU team’s trip to Lewis and Clark College Oct. 9-11 will be the start of the Northwest Forensic Conference competition and according to Worthen, the team has taken first or second place in the conference for nine of the last ten years.

Source: USU Debate Team