Contributed/ETSU

On Oct. 18, the ETSU Speech and Debate Team competed at the fifth annual Cougar Classic Tournament, hosted by Cleveland State Community College. Eighteen competitors, representing a variety of colleges, majors and classes, spent the day competing in NPDA debate and speech events, going head-to-head with other schools.

The team had incredible success, bringing home 33 awards across competitive categories. Per Selander and Sofia Diaz took home the first-place award for their performance in the NPDA debate. Diaz expressed how “grateful” she was for the win and for the support of team members.

“I’m happy with my performance and owe all my progress to my amazing coaches and teammates,” Diaz said.

ETSU faced off against ETSU in the finals, with Selander and Diaz competing against Colin Dougherty and Trent Lewis. Additionally, ETSU made up the semifinals bracket. The debaters received 11 individual awards, with Connor Sproule winning the first-place varsity speaker award.

Debate wasn’t the only area in which the team succeeded. The Individual Events competitors, who specialize in speaking events, also delivered outstanding performances. Hope Hatton, Pia Drummond and Isabella Webb all took home top novice awards in their events.

“I was able to do what I love in competition, but was also able to gain a deeper connection with everyone who went,” said Hatton. “There’s no one who will cheer for you louder than your team.”

Katrina Spencer won fifth place in impromptu speaking, a highly populated and competitive event, requiring excellent memory and quick thinking.

Donna Taylor, director of the team, said the season is off to an “incredibly strong start.” The team’s focus lies in honing speaking skills and building one another up, fostering a community of intelligent, kind and skilled individuals. Competitors put in the work, demonstrating “drive and ambition” through hours of practice.

“We pride ourselves in representing ETSU,” Taylor said.

The team held to this aim, bringing home the four-year Grandmaster trophy: the highest award for cumulative points across speech and debate.

The team is looking forward to an exciting rest of the season. Saturday, ETSU will host the third annual Terror on the Tweetsie Tournament, a Halloween-themed debate tournament welcoming schools from across the region. In the spring, the team will also host their annual showcase, an opportunity for the public to witness the best events of the season and learn more about the team.

The Speech and Debate Team meets on Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. in the D.P. Culp Student Center, Room 311. The team has an open-door policy and encourages interested students to attend meetings and meet the competitors. More details can be found on the team’s Instagram @speechanddebateatetsu, or by contacting Donna Taylor taylordj1@etsu.edu.

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