Success for LCC Speech & Debate at consecutive tournaments

The Lower Columbia College Fighting Smelt Speech & Debate Team completed its final tune-up before nationals with back-to-back weekends of challenging competition. The team was honored as the top community college at the Eddy Shell Invitational debate tournament hosted by Bossier Parish Community College. Less than one week later, the team had significant success and earned qualifications for the American Forensics Association’s (AFA) National Speech Tournament (NST) at the District II speech tournament.

Molly Mahoney of Kelso earned an award for every single one of their entries across the two tournaments. Mahoney advanced to the quarterfinal of Team IPDA debate with teammate Penelope Anderson, and to the octofinal round of junior IPDA debate as an individual competitor. Mahoney then qualified for the AFA-NST in four categories by placing first in Impromptu Speaking, first in After Dinner Speaking, first in Communication Analysis, and third in Persuasive Speaking.

Ilinca Slabu of Longview advanced to quarterfinals in junior IPDA debate and earned a qualification for the AFA-NST for her second place finish in Extemporaneous Speaking. Slabu also competed in Impromptu Speaking, Informative Speaking, and Team IPDA with teammate Jagger Norris.

Penelope Anderson of Napavine advanced to debate quarterfinals in both team IPDA with teammate Molly Mahoney and in novice IPDA as an individual competitor.

Reagan Gosselin of Longview was the champion of Informative Speaking and runner-up in After Dinner Speaking. Gosselin also competed in Persuasive Speaking and novice IPDA debate.

Also representing Lower Columbia College at these tournaments were Nyssa Miller of Toledo and Jagger Norris of Longview

Next up for LCC Speech and Debate is International Forensics Association’s annual speech and debate tournament, which will feature top collegiate programs from around the world.