Washburn University Debate Brings Home Second Place in the Missouri Mule

     Topeka, Kan. – The Washburn University debate team brought home second place from the second tournament of the 2025/2026 season, the “Missouri Mule,” hosted by the University of Central Missouri Oct. 11-12. This tournament was held in two sections, almost two fully unique tournaments on each day.

     Saturday, Oct. 11, in the Open Division, Alfonso Rascon (junior) placed in the semifinals, or was in the final four. Madeline O’Leary-Worsley (sophomore) was the fourth overall speaker of day one.

     Sunday, Oct. 12, in the Open Division, Ziona Jackson (sophomore) advanced to the final two, or was a finalist. Jenna Massey (freshman) and Rascon were in the semifinals. Jackson was the top overall speaker for day two, with Rascon placing third.

    Grady Smith (freshman) rounded out the Washburn University debate team in the “Missouri Mule” tournament. Washburn debate alumni and current graduate student in Washburn’s master’s communication and leadership program, Andrew Rea, ’25, helped judge this tournament.

    “We took a limited number of debaters to this tournament due to Washburn’s Fall Break and to maximize our efforts,” said Dr. Kevin O’Leary, director of debate and senior lecturer for communication studies for Washburn University. “They took their experiences from the first tournament this season into their practices and research these last few weeks, and that helped them accomplish this second place finish this weekend.”  

    Joining Washburn at this tournament were Arkansas Tech University, Colorado Christian University, Crowder College, Illinois College, Illinois State University, Kansas City Kansas Community College, Kansas State University, Missouri Valley College, Northwest Missouri State University, Ottawa University, Simpson College, The University of Central Missouri, Truman State University, University of Central Arkansas, University of Missouri – Columbia, University of Missouri Kansas City, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Webster University.

     The Washburn University debate team is the National Champions for the 2023/2024 season and ended the 2024/2025 season third overall in the nation.

     O’Leary and Steve Doubledee, assistant director of debate and senior lecturer for communication studies for Washburn University, are the debate coaches for Washburn University. The Washburn University debate program focuses on Lincoln-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 13 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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       Founded in 1865, Washburn University is a public institution with more than 8,000 students involved in more than 200 academic programs. Washburn’s programs lead to certification, associate, bachelor, master's degree or doctor of nursing practice and juris doctor degrees. The programs are offered through Washburn’s six primary academic units – College of Arts & Sciences, School of Applied Studies, Greg D. and Ronda K. Brenneman School of Business, Harmon J. Hines School of Nursing, School of Law and Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech).

      All programs are offered on either the 160-acre residential campus in the heart of Topeka, Kan., at Washburn Tech’s campus on Topeka’s west side or in the East Topeka facility. Washburn University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association and many of the individual programs have additional accreditations.