The Collegian

Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Sarah Howard

Freshmen Lee Ann LaPlue and Liz Essley won the state debate tournament the Hillsdale College debate and forensics team hosted on campus last weekend. Hillsdale placed third overall in individual events and debate, the highest they have placed at the state level.

"I thought our presentations were better than last tournament," LaPlue said of her team performance. "Our arguments were a lot better, too."

Hillsdale only had three teams debating with several students participating in individual forensic events. Sophomore Bryan Leonard was runner-up in Lincoln-Douglas debate, and senior Paul Ray took second and senior James Tucker third in forensics.

"It was my first time debating this style," Leonard said, noting he was surprised with his performance. Lincoln-Douglas is one-on-one debate. "Coach needed someone to fill the spot."

Eastern Michigan University and Central Michigan University took first and second, respectively, in sweepstakes. Debate Coach and Assistant Professor of Speech Jeremy Christensen said these universities were the toughest competition at the tournament.

"It was a competitive tournament," he said. "Eastern and Central are very good schools. Both teams are nationally ranked."

Christensen said Eastern and Central are probably better due to a larger coaching staff and more time for students to focus on debate.

"The academic rigors, the demands are higher here," he said.

Assistant Director of Forensics Jennifer Marmo '05 was presented the Michigan Interscholastic Speech League Director's Award at the awards ceremony Saturday night for service "above and beyond" to the forensics community.

"It's an honor and flattering to be recognized for your work," Marmo said, though she emphasized the forensics team's success as most important. "We did really well. The competition was really tough at the tournament this year."

This tournament, Christensen said, was prestigious but not as significant as others earlier in the season. The main purpose of the tournament for Hillsdale will be in competing for the national title, though this year Christensen is not sending the team to nationals.

"We are not ready for nationals this year," he said. "I have a young squad."

With the official season ended, Christensen said they are already practicing for next year.

"Our season begins in, oh, 10 minutes," he said Monday at noon. "Our season doesn't really end."

Christensen had three goals beginning the season and though only one of them was met he is pleased with team progress. Team stability, the first goal, was accomplished. Second was for the team to integrate their academic curriculum and debate; he did not think the team completely excelled at this. Third was to rank nationally in the top 20. The team will not know for several weeks how they ranked, and Christensen said they are probably close but not close enough.

LaPlue said she expects next year to run smoother with this transition year completed.

"We have changed as a team just in this one year," she said. "We've changed style of debate. It was a hard process to change the style and get more organized. We are just now getting to grips with that and next year will be a lot better."

The tone of the season, Christensen said, was one of "embraced development."

Sophomore debater Matt Stone agreed.

"This year was a season of improvement," Stone said. "I think we have really come a long way."

For more deliberation click here,here, and here.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools