McKendree Speech and Debate Team Starts the Season Strong

The McKendree University Speech and Debate Team took home 24 awards, including 10 1^st place finishes, over its two most recent tournaments at the University of Minnesota and Southwest Baptist University.

“This was an impressive start to the season,” said Joe Blasdel. “While this marks a successful start to the season, the team displayed a very high level of camaraderie at both tournaments – especially important with 10 new members this year.”

McKendree was one of three universities, including the University of Missouri and the host school, to attend the Minnesota Classic, hosted by the University of Minnesota on September 21-22. Representing McKendree were senior Adeja Powell; junior Haylee Christ; sophomores Mitch Deleel, Chandler Flesch, Caden Owens, and Rebecca Postula; and first-years Scott Anderson, Brian Duvendack, Kyle Garrett, and Isabella Strimling.

The team of Deleel and Powell posted a perfect 6-0 prelim record. After receiving a bye in quarterfinals, they defeated Minnesota teams in semifinals and finals to win the tournament. Owens and Postula went 5-1. They reached semifinals after receiving a bye in quarterfinals. Christ and Flesch posted a 3-3 record, just missing the break to quarterfinals, but were recognized as the top junior team at the tournament. Powell was 1^st place varsity speaker, while Deleel place 5^th. Owens was the top novice speaker, while Strimling took 3^rd place.

14 colleges and universities, including the University of Nebraska, Truman State University, and Simpson College, attended the Derryberry Memorial Tournament, hosted by Southwest Baptist University, on October 5-6. Representing McKendree were seniors Rachael Hooven, Aliyah Smith, and Andrew Wagner; juniors Kate Maag, Lyndellia Mannie, and Isa Scaturro; sophomore Rebecca Postula; and first-years Kelsey Fann and Taylor Roth.

Wagner won 1^st place in three public address events – communication analysis, after dinner speaking, and informative speaking. He also took 2^nd in extemporaneous speaking and 4^th in impromptu speaking, along with taking 2^nd place in duo with Smith. In addition to placing 2^nd in duo, Smith finished 2^nd in programmed oral interpretation and 4^th in drama. Maag took 2^nd place in prose and 4^th place in programmed oral interpretation. Mannie won 1^st place in poetry, while Scaturro placed 4^th in informative speaking. Finally, Hooven took 6^th in drama. Wagner won 1^st place in individual sweepstakes, while Smith placed 4^th. As a program, McKendree won 1^st place in individual events sweepstakes, while also placing 2^nd in overall sweepstakes.

McKendree will next compete at its home debate tournament on October 19-21, while also competing in a speech tournament at the University of Central Missouri.