Decisive win for LCC Speech & Debate

The Lower Columbia College Fighting Smelt Speech & Debate Team won the 2-year college division and earned the most overall sweepstakes points at the Earl Wells Memorial Speakeasy tournament, hosted by Oregon State University. This result affirms that this LCC squad can be successful against the top programs in the region and is a great sign as the team prepares for postseason national tournaments.

This result was a true team effort, with all eight LCC students experiencing individual success.

Julia Mitchell of Kelso earned the prestigious Pentathlon Award.

Molly Mahoney of Kelso earned sweepstakes points in all five of her competition events.

Ilinca Slabu of Longview advanced to the Semifinal round in novice IPDA Debate and was named 3rd novice speaker.

Elizabeth Brown of Kalama was the champion in Informative Speaking.

Mitchell Levy of Kelso finished 5th place in Extemporaneous Speaking.

After a slow start in the tournament, Eli Tovar of Castle Rock fought back and advanced to the Quarterfinal round in open IPDA Debate.

Jagger Norris of Longview earned the first two wins of his intercollegiate debate career.

Victoria DelSasso of Castle Rock placed 7th in Informative Speaking.

LCC Speech and Debate will finish the regional competition season with the AFA-NIET district qualifier tournament at Lewis & Clark College on February 29, then gear up for IPDA and Phi Rho Pi Nationals.