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Simpson College’s prolific Speech & Debate team is once again national debate champions.
The Storm posted the top Debate Sweepstakes score at the 62-team Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament held March 15-18 at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. Simpson took third place in the overall Speech & Debate Sweepstakes.
Simpson’s impressive performance included two individual national titles and four national runners-up. Alyssa Beckwith ’24 received National Champion Speaker honors in Public Forum Debate while Sydni Powell ’26 was the Tournament Champion in Student Congress.
Varsity national runners-up included Mo Marks ‘22 for Extemporaneous Speaking and the duo of Ryan Corcoran ‘25 and Abby Fry ‘25 for Open Public Forum Debate. Elsewhere, teammates Zach Harnden ‘26 and Maddux Stout ‘25 placed second in Junior Varsity Public Form Debate, while Gracie Crow ‘26 and Maggie Fitzpatrick ‘25 captured second place in Junior Varsity Parliamentary Debate.
“I am exceptionally proud of how hard our students worked,” said Spencer Waugh, Simpson’s director of Speech & Debate. “Practice began in late August, and their disciplined diligence paid off at the national tournament. They gave up their spring breaks to engage in dialogue and critical thinking with other students from across the country. It was another great weekend for our team and Simpson College.”
Overall team standings were as follows:
Debate Team Points
1. Simpson College
2. Grove City College
3. Weber State University
4. University of Central Florida
5. Boise State University
Speech & Debate Combined
1. Western Kentucky University
2. University of Alabama
3. Simpson College
4. Ohio University
5. Boise State University
In all, 27 students competed in the national event. Here are the other individual results:
Ryan Corcoran ‘25:
Excellence in Impromptu
Quarterfinalist in Dramatic Interpretation
Kyle Werner ‘25:
Excellence in Impromptu
Mo Marks ‘22:
Second Place in Extemporaneous Speaking
Fifth Place in Impromptu Speaking
Fifth Place in Pentathlon
Quarterfinalist in After Dinner Speaking
Quarterfinalist in Communication Analysis
Abby Fry ‘25:
Semifinalist in Impromptu Speaking
Quarterfinalist in Editorial Impromptu Speaking
Excellence in Extemporaneous Speaking
Third Place Public Forum Speaker
Ryan Magalhaes ‘25:
Quarterfinalist in Impromptu Speaking
Excellence in Editorial Impromptu Speaking
Tempest Allred ‘24:
Quarterfinalist in Dramatic Interpretation Speaking
Flory ‘24:
Semifinalist in Editorial Impromptu Speaking
Sydni Powell ‘25:
Tournament Champion in Student Congress
Presiding Officer Award
Emma Conley ‘25:
Fifth Place in Slam Poetry
Zach Harnden ‘26:
Excellence in Interviewing
Alyssa Beckwith ‘24:
National Champion Speaker in Public Forum Debate
Anja Waugh ‘25:
Fourth Place Public Forum Speaker
National Runner-up in Open Public Forum Debate: Ryan Corcoran ‘25 & Abby Fry ‘25
Junior Varsity Public Forum Debate:
National Runner-up: Zach Harnden ’26 & Maddux Stout ‘25
Junior Varsity Parliamentary Debate
National-Runner-up: Gracie Crow ‘26 & Maggie Fitzpatrick ‘25
Public Forum Debate Varsity
Semi-finalists: Anja Waugh ‘25 & Alyssa Beckwith ‘24
Varsity Parliamentary Debate
Octafinalists: Scott Krueger ‘24 & Teagan Townsend ‘25
Quarterfinalists: Kyle Werner ‘25 & Breanna Drahota ‘25