Speech and debate team places third at season-opener
Six individuals competed at the virtual, early-season tournament
The Simpson College (simpson.edu) speech and debate team opened the 2020 season with a third-place finish at the virtual University of Central Florida Knights Joust Tournament held Sept. 18-20.
First-year student Mo Marks led a small group of Simpson competitors by winning the extemporaneous speaking category and earning top novice honors in impromptu. Simpson entered just six individuals in the tournament — including four first-year students — and still managed to place third out of 16 teams from across the country.
The early-season date gave the team an opportunity to get a feel for virtual competition. In a typical season, Simpson wouldn’t compete until the first weekend in October.
“We opened the season with four first-year students and two returners, all competing virtually for the first time,” said Spencer Waugh, director of speech, debate and mock trial. “I was very pleased with the way our team performed. This tournament gave us a great opportunity to test the virtual speech and debate platform. Next weekend, the tournament offers more events and we will have the full squad out.”
In addition to Marks’ championship in extemporaneous speaking and championship in JV IPDA Debate, Douglas Roberts added second-place efforts in both poetry and individual sweepstakes to lead Simpson’s team.
Simpson’s next competitions are scheduled for Sept. 26-27. Select individuals will compete in the Nassau Community College Early Bird Tournament on Sept. 26. The team will then take part in the Big Apple Tournament on Sept. 27.
Full Results
Extemporaneous Speaking: Mo Marks, tournament champion
Extemporaneous Speaking: Shelby McCasland, top novice
Poetry: Douglas Roberts, second place
Impromptu: Douglas Roberts, fifth place
Impromptu: Mo Marks, top novice
Informative: Douglas Roberts, fourth place
POI: Douglas Roberts, fifth place
Individual Sweepstakes: Douglas Roberts, second place
JV IPDA Debate: Mo Marks, tournament champion and top speaker
JV IPDA Debate: Scott Krueger, semifinalist
JV IPDA Debate: Andrew Flory, quarterfinalist and second speaker
Contact Information
Cathy Cole, Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Communication
Direct: 515-961-1595
Email: cathy.cole@simpson.edu
Article Information
Published
September 21, 2020
Author
Office of Marketing and Strategic Communication
