Speech and Debate Team Beats 27 Western U.S. Rivals to Win Sweepstakes Prize

Utah State University’s Speech and Debate team took first place overall in a recent competition with 28 colleges and universities from throughout the West.

The nine-member team also earned all three top slots in debate at the Nov. 18-20 Northwest Forensic Conference competition at Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore. The debate section encompasses several categories such as Persuasive Speaking.

“USU has a strong lead in the conference and should finish first place for the 7th time out of the last 10 years,” said coach Tom Worthen.

He said the conference consists of such large Pac 12 universities as the University of Oregon as well as small, private liberal arts colleges such as Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Ore. However, he said, the toughest competition comes from Boise State University, which brings the largest team in the conference. 

Worthen described competition weeks as busy and demanding. “On a five-day trip you are in rounds competing over 40 hours,” he said, adding that drive time requires more than 24 hours.

“It does not leave much time to rest,” he said, “However, with its small team USU has the quality to be a dominate force in speech and debate."

USU also received recognition individually at the tournament with Chantelle Gossner taking the coveted Singletary Award. Gossner, a sophomore in political science, is the first USU student ever to win this award, which goes to the top debater of more than 250 competitors in all divisions.

Gossner also took first place in Novice debate and was the top Novice debate speaker, as well as placing third as the top Junior division individual speaker at the tournament.  To achieve this, she took first place in Extemporaneous Speaking, second in Persuasive Speaking and fifth in Informative Speaking, said Worthen.

Freshman Tanner Petersen received recognition, placing fifth as the best individual speaker at the tournament in speech events and the third best open division debate. Petersen also placed fifth in Open division debate losing on a 2-1 decision.  

Additionally, Petersen placed first in Persuasive Speaking and second in Duo Interpretation with Carsyn Endres.  Endres also placed sixth in Informative Speaking and sixth place in Debate.

Other prize-winners were:

Zoe Hall: second place in Mad Libs Interpretation, fifth place in persuasive speaking, third place in Informative Speaking and fifth place in debate.
Sam Hendricks: second in After Dinner Speaking and second in debate.
KC Esplin: first in After Dinner Speaking and fifth in debate.
Brayden O'Brien: sixth in Persuasive Speaking.
Naomi Ward: third in Persuasive Speaking and third in debate.  

Worthen said the USU team took the overall sweepstakes award, thanks to placing in the top three in nine events and taking first, second and third in debate.

Contact: Tom Worthen, 435-994-0023