McKendree Speech and Debate Wins 34 Awards to Close Fall Competition
(LEBANON, Ill., December 7, 2017) — The McKendree University Speech & Debate Team completed its fall semester of competition by winning 34 awards over the course of
its last four tournaments, including first place finishes by Mitch Deleel and Rebecca
Postula in junior parliamentary debate, as well as Lyndellia Mannie in poetry interpretation.
“We’ve had excellent results this semester, but I’m even more pleased with the quality
and quantity of work both students and coaches have done this semester,” said Joe
Blasdel, coach. “In particular, our seniors have really stepped up and I’m excited
for our prospects at nationals.”
Eleven colleges and universities, including Bradley University, Truman State University
and Western Kentucky University, attended McKendree’s City of Cedars speech swing
tournament on Nov. 11-12. Representing McKendree were senior Brett Hanna; juniors
Lea Smith and Andrew Wagner; sophomores Grace Alexander, Kate Maag and Lyndellia Mannie.
At the first half, Wagner finished second in communication analysis, third in extemporaneous
speaking, and third in persuasion. Alexander took second in after dinner speaking
and fifth in drama. At the second half, Wagner placed second in extemporaneous speaking,
third in impromptu, third in informative, fourth in communication analysis and fourth
in persuasion. Smith finished in third place in programmed oral interpretation, while
Alexander took fourth place in after dinner speaking. McKendree does not compete in
individual or team sweepstakes at its home tournament, but Wagner would have taken
first place in sweepstakes at both tournaments.
Nine colleges and universities, including the University of Minnesota, Texas Tech
University and Concordia University attended Washburn’s Top City Classic debate tournament
on Nov. 11-12. Representing McKendree were senior Beth Graham, sophomore Adeja Powell,
and first-years Mitch Deleel, Aaron Mattoon, Kenzie Meni and Rebecca Postula. All
three McKendree teams went 3-3, just missing the break to final rounds.
Nine colleges and universities, including Northwestern University, the University
of Minnesota, and the University of Illinois Chicago, attended the University of Wisconsin’s
Dairyland Swing speech tournament on Dec. 2-3. Representing McKendree were Mannie,
Wagner, Powell and senior Emma Webster.
At the first half, Webster finished second in drama, fourth in prose, and fifth in
duo (with Wagner). Wagner placed third in informative, fourth in impromptu, fifth
in communication analysis, and fifth in duo (with Webster). Mannie took third in poetry.
At the second half, Mannie took home first place in poetry. Wagner finished second
in impromptu, third in extemporaneous speaking, and fifth in duo (with Webster).
At Webster’s Study Break debate tournament on Dec. 2, McKendree took the top three
spots in the junior division: first place, Deleel and Postula; second place, Mattoon
and Meni; and third place, Justin Fausz and John Hilmes. Postula was the top speaker,
while Mattoon and Deleel finished in second and fourth place, respectively. In the
novice division, the team of Haylee Christ and Antoine Cozart placed fifth, while
Christ won fifth place speaker. Chandler Flesch and Nick Glass finished 2-2 and just
missed placing in the top five. Senior Gage Simmons was recognized as a Top Critic,
while seniors Alex Baldwin and Beth Graham also served as judges.
McKendree will compete at Webster’s Gorlok Gala speech and debate tournament on Jan.
26-28.
McKendree University Speech Team members Lyndellia Mannie, Grace Alexander, Andrew Wagner, Lea Smith, Kate Maag and Brett Hanna.
Competing at the Study Break tournament were (front row) Beth Graham, Antoine Cozart, Chandler Flesch, Rebecca Postula and Kenzie Meni; (back row) Gage Simmons, Justin Fausz, Nick Glass, Alex Baldwin, Mitch Deleel and John Hilmes.
-McK-
