McKendree Speech and Debate Takes First Place
at Minnesota and Southwest Baptist Tournaments
(LEBANON, Ill., October 10, 2018) — The McKendree University speech and debate team
took home 24 awards, including 10 first place finishes, over its two most recent tournaments
at the University of Minnesota and Southwest Baptist University.
“This was an impressive start to the season,” said Joe Blasdel, coach. “While this
marks a successful start to the season, the team displayed a very high level of camaraderie
at both tournaments – especially important with 10 new members this year.”
McKendree was one of three universities, including the University of Missouri and
the host school, to attend the Minnesota Classic, hosted by the University of Minnesota
on Sept. 21-22. Representing McKendree were senior Adeja Powell; junior Haylee Christ;
sophomores Mitch Deleel, Chandler Flesch, Caden Owens and Rebecca Postula; and first-years
Scott Anderson, Brian Duvendack, Kyle Garrett and Isabella Strimling.
The team of Deleel and Powell posted a perfect 6-0 prelim record. After receiving
a bye in quarterfinals, they defeated Minnesota teams in semifinals and finals to
win the tournament. Owens and Postula went 5-1. They reached semifinals after receiving
a bye in quarterfinals. Christ and Flesch posted a 3-3 record, just missing the break
to quarterfinals, but were recognized as the top junior team at the tournament. Powell
was first place varsity speaker, while Deleel place fifth. Owens was the top novice
speaker, while Strimling took third place.
Fourteen colleges and universities, including the University of Nebraska, Truman State
University and Simpson College, attended the Derryberry Memorial Tournament, hosted
by Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., on Oct. 5-6. Representing McKendree
were seniors Rachael Hooven, Aliyah Smith and Andrew Wagner; juniors Kate Maag, Lyndellia
Mannie and Isa Scaturro; sophomore Rebecca Postula; and first-years Kelsey Fann and
Taylor Roth.
Wagner won first place in three public address events: communication analysis, after
dinner speaking and informative speaking. He also took second in extemporaneous speaking
and fourth in impromptu speaking, along with taking second place in duo with Smith.
In addition to placing second in duo, Smith finished second in programmed oral interpretation
and fourth in drama. Maag placed second in prose and fourth in programmed oral interpretation.
Mannie won first place in poetry, while Scaturro placed fourth in informative speaking.
Finally, Hooven took sixth in drama. Wagner won first place in individual sweepstakes,
while Smith placed fourth. As a program, McKendree won first place in individual events
sweepstakes and placed second in overall sweepstakes.
McKendree will compete next at its home debate tournament on Oct. 19-21, while also
competing in a speech tournament at the University of Central Missouri.
Competing at the Minnesota Classic were McKendree University debate team members Caden
Owens, Brian Duvendack and Isabella Strimling (seated); back row, Kyle Garrett, Rebecca
Postula, Haylee Christ, Chandler Flesch, Adeja Powell, Mitch Deleel and Scott Anderson.
McKendree University speech team members competing at Derryberry Memorial Tournament
at Southwest Baptist University were (kneeling), Kate Maag, Aliyah Smith, Rebecca
Postula and Taylor Roth; standing, Isa Scaturro, Lyndellia Mannie, Andrew Wagner,
Kelsey Fann and Rachael Hooven.
-McK-
