Debate Results: October 9-11, 2015

Attending the largest comprehensive speech and debate tournament of the year, the Utah State University Speech and Debate Team returned from Lewis and Clark College in Portland Oregon placing first place in debate and 5th in overall sweepstakes. At the tournament were 48 other colleges and universities from 11 states. Individual awards went to Annie Worthen who ended with a record of 12 wins and three loses to place first in IPDA debate.  Annie also took 3rd place in Informative Speaking, 4th place in Persuasive Speaking and received the award as the 4th best debate speaker at the tournament. Joseph Allred placed first in Persuasive Speaking and 6th in Extemporaneous Speaking. Mariah Andreasen placed 5th place in After Dinner Speaking and was recognized as the 2nd best debate speaker.  Bridget Baldwin placed 3rd in Persuasive Speaking, 4th in Informative Speaking and 5th in debate.  Ben Powell placed 4th in IPDA debate and was awarded 7th best debate speaker. The team of Haylee Hunsaker and Garrett Smith placed 9th in British Parliamentary Debate and Haylee was recognized as the 10th best debate speaker. 

The Lewis and Clark Tournament was held October 9-11 and is the first of three Northwest Forensic Conference tournaments the team will attend.  The team next travels to Linfield College in McMinnville Oregon, November 13-15.

Coach Tom Worthen was pleased with the team's performance. He stated, "This tournament showed depth to the team as it was the new team members who won the most awards, yet the returning members also made a solid contribution. We are always proud of how our USU team does with the resources we have. Other teams have budgets eight to ten times USU's budget, yet we consistently compete in the final rounds and place in overall sweepstakes. I love the students at USU and am thankful for the support that is given to us."