McKendree University Speech and Debate Team is Sixth in the Nation
(LEBANON, Ill., March 4, 2021) — After winning the National Parliamentary Debate Association
(NPDA) team championship and program sweepstakes in 2020, the McKendree University
speech and debate team is preparing for its 2021 national tournaments. McKendree is currently ranked sixth
in NPDA season sweepstakes and has two teams qualified for the National Parliamentary
Tournament of Excellence (NPTE): Mitch Deleel and Kyle Garrett (10th place), as well as Rebecca Postula and Kyle Smith (12th place). First-year student Jayden Touchette has qualified all of her events—prose,
drama, persuasion, and impromptu speaking—for the National Forensic Association Championship
Tournament in April, as has Postula in extemporaneous speaking. Due to the ongoing
pandemic, the team has been competing in virtual tournaments this year.
“The students and coaches have been working very hard in preparation for nationals,”
said Director Joe Blasdel. “Competing exclusively in virtual tournaments has been
challenging, but I am very proud of our work this year. I’m particularly thankful
for the leadership provided by our seniors and All-American candidates, Mitch Deleel
and Rebecca Postula.”
Thirteen colleges and universities, including the University of California at Berkeley,
Rice University and the University of Oregon, competed in the Mile High Debate Tournament
on Jan. 14-17. Deleel and Garrett posted a perfect record of 5-0 and finished as quarterfinalists,
while Postula and Smith went 3-2 and were octofinalists.
Sixty-six colleges and universities, including Lewis and Clark College, Morehouse
College and Pennsylvania State University, competed in the Gorlok Gala hosted by Webster
University on Jan. 30-31. Touchette took fifth place, in a field of 81 competitors,
in impromptu speaking after advancing through quarterfinals and semifinals to the
final round of competition.
Ten colleges and universities, including the University of California at Berkeley,
Rice University and the University of Minnesota, competed in the National Warmup,
hosted by McKendree University on Feb. 13-14. Postula and Smith posted a 4-1 record
and finished as quarterfinalists, while Smith was recognized as the fifth place speaker.
Maddie Kopp and Sincere Williams took second place in the junior division, while Naya
Busbea and Jayden Touchette finished in second place in the novice division.
Fourteen colleges and universities, including Western Kentucky University, Northwestern
University and Bradley University, competed in the Furrensic Pals Speech Tournament
hosted by McKendree University on Feb. 20-21. Touchette finished first in prose, second
in persuasion, third in drama and fourth in impromptu speaking—and took first place
in individual sweepstakes. Postula took fourth place in extemporaneous speaking.
McKendree will begin its nationals season with the National Parliamentary Debate Association
Championship Tournament (March 6-8), followed by the National Parliamentary Tournament
of Excellence (March 12-14) and the National Speech Championships (March 20-21), and
the National Forensic Association Championship Tournament (April 16-19).
-McK-
McKendree University speech and debate team members, front row: Kaylee McKinzie, Sincere Williams, Rebecca Postula, Kyle Garrett, Maddie Kopp; back row: Jayden Touchette, Naya Busbea, Madeline Trinity, Noah Marlar, Kyle Smith and Jamari Jackson. Not pictured: Mitch Deleel.
