LCC Fighting Smelt find success at competitive regional tournament

The Lower Columbia College Fighting Smelt Speech & Debate Team finished competing at their most recent tournament hosted by Linfield University. Regarded as one of the most competitive regional tournaments in the season, the 91st annual Mahaffey Memorial Tournament consisted of 578 total speech and debate entries, with a total of 36 schools competing spanning 10 states.

The Fighting Smelt earned second place in the Division III team sweepstakes for the tournament.

Penelope Anderson of Napavine placed first in the novice division of Persuasive Speaking and second place in the novice division of Informative Speaking.

Tyler Tremain of Kelso was close behind in the novice division of Persuasive Speaking, placing third.

Adah Moore of Kelso placed fifth in the novice division of Persuasive Speaking and advanced to octofinals in Novice IPDA.

Fighting Smelt alumnus Molly Mahoney, now competing for Lewis & Clark College, secured 4th place in the varsity division of After Dinner Speaking.

Alongside the competitors, alumnus Glenn John Cervantes and Media Manager Alayna Dalgleish were volunteer judges at the tournament. Alumnus Ilinca Slabu and Assistant Director of Forensics Julia Mitchell helped LCC competitors prepare debate cases during the tournament.