Debaters Take First at Loyola University Tournament

9/29/2011

Lebanon, Ill. — The McKendree University debate team took home 14 individual awards last weekend at Loyola University in Chicago, in addition to taking first place in school sweepstakes. Twelve colleges and universities competed in the tournament, including the University of Texas, Purdue University and Marquette University.

Representing McKendree were senior Anna Chambers; juniors Lance Allen, Sarah Brown and Mat Myles; sophomores Lucas Barker, Eddie Cox, Sarah DeBruyckere and Brent Nicholson; and first-year Lindsay Hansard.

In the first half of the tournament, the team of Hansard and Myles posted a 4-1 record. After defeating Carthage College in quarterfinals, they advanced over another McKendree team in semifinals. They triumphed over the University of Texas in finals to win the tournament. The team of Chambers and DeBruyckere also went 4-1. They beat Loyola University in quarterfinals before being advanced over by another McKendree team. Finally, the team of Allen and Barker posted a 4-1 record. They defeated Purdue University in quarterfinals before losing to the University of Texas in semifinals. Sarah DeBruyckere was recognized as the top overall speaker, while Hansard, Myles, and Chambers took second, third and seventh place, respectively.

In the second half of the tournament, the team of Hansard and Myles went 3-2. After defeating Bethel College in octofinals, they beat DePauw University in quarterfinals. They lost to Loyola in semifinals. The hybrid team of Nicholson and Maloy (from Loyola) posted a 4-1 record. After defeating Purdue in octofinals, they lost to Loyola in quarterfinals. Finally, the team of Brown and Cox, as well as Allen and Barker, went 3-2, and lost in octofinals, both to Loyola teams. Lindsay Hansard was again named second speaker, while Myles and Nicholson took third and tenth, respectively.

Up next for McKendree is its own swing tournament, the Bearcat Classic and Richard Hunsaker Invitational, on Oct. 14-16.