Topeka, Kan. - This past weekend, Sept. 17 and 18, 2022, Washburn University Debate hosted as well as competed at the virtual Capitol Classic, the kick-off tournament to the NFA Lincoln Douglas competitive year which runs from September to April. Seven of the nine Washburn debaters qualified to elimination rounds in this competitive tournament.
Tournament results:
- Jacob Bailes (sophomore) and Hunter Squires (sophomore) were both semifinalists in Junior Varsity (JV) competition, with Squires earning the champion speaker position in JV.- Braxton Kindel (freshman) was recognized as the third-place speaker in JV.
- In Open or Varsity competition, Jenna Gorton (sr.) was runner-up.
- Cade Belden (sophomore) and Carlos Cedillo-Silva (senior) were quarterfinalists, with Belden being recognized as the third best speaker and Cedillo-Silva as the fifth best speaker in Open or Varsity competition.
- Dan Archer (junior) was an Octafinalist (final eight) in Open or Varsity.
Washburn debaters who competed this weekend are: Dan Archer (junior), Jacob Bailes (sophomore), Cade Belden (sophomore), Jenna Gorton (senior), Braxton Kindel (freshman), Logan Michael (freshman), Andrew Rea (junior), Carlos Cedillo-Silva (senior) and Hunter Squires (sophomore). Dr. Kevin O’Leary, director of debate and senior lecturer for communication studies for Washburn University, and Steve Doubledee, assistant director of debate and senior lecturer for communication studies for Washburn University, are the debate coaches for Washburn University.
Other universities that participated in this tournament are College of Idaho, Illinois College, Illinois State, Kansas City Kansas Community College, Lafayette College, Minnesota State Mankato, Missouri Valley College, Nebraska Lincoln, Simpson College, Truman State and Western Kentucky.
The Washburn University debate program focuses on Linclon-Douglas, or LD, debate format. LD is a debate format that follows the basic time schedule 6 - 3 - 7 - 3 - 4 - 6 - 3. Each debater gets thirteen minutes of total speaking time, and three minutes of question time. The rounds take approximately 45 minutes in total. Each debater receives four to five minutes of preparation time to use between speeches however they like.
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For further information, contact:
Joy Bailes
Assistant Director of Public Relations
Office: 785-670-2153
Cell: 785-230-1648
Email: joy.bailes@washburn.edu
