Pictured, front row, left to right: Jennifer Pensamiento-Hilton, Mitch Sadler and Professor Scot Loyd. Back row, left to right: Emily Erwin, Canyon McGee and Carson Kroneke.

Bison Debate Team Finishes Strong in Texas Tourney

October 26, 2018

The OBU Speech and Debate team competed in their second tournament of the season Oct. 18-21 at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Led by Scot Loyd, assistant professor of communication studies and director of forensics and debate, the team competed toward its best showing in team history.

Carson Kroneke and Mitch Sadler advanced to the finals in Team IPDA (International Public Debate Association) competition, taking second place. Kroneke was second speaker in the contest. In the novice category, Sadler and Canyon McGee finished as quarterfinalists and both earned speaker awards. Sadler was second speaker and McGee was fourth speaker.

Overall, the team finished in second place in the points standing in Team IPDA, second place in points in individual IPDA and third in sweeps (total combined points and breaks). Loyd took home a quarterfinal finish in the pro category.

“This is a great start to our season, where in just two tournaments we have brought home a novice second place finish, two second place overall team finishes and one third place overall finish,” Loyd said. “These awards are across competition in multiple divisions and categories of debate. I'm thankful for the commitment of our students and appreciate the support of our division and college in helping us represent OBU with excellence in the persuasive arts.”

Speech and Debate will return to competition Nov 2-3 at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas.