State Debate
by Nancy Rundel
The CHS Debate team finished out their season at the 4A State 2-Man Debate Tournament in Silver Lake on Friday and Saturday, January 13th and 14th. Colby was one of 8 teams who fielded a full entry of four two-man teams. There were a total of 30 schools attending the tournament. Colby students who participated in State Debate were: MIchael T., Christina O., Tomi M., Cameron M., Hannah M., Madison G., Sarah L. and Billy S. The Debate team coach is Mrs. Nancy Rundel; Mrs. Paige Gawith and Mrs. Jeannie Sloan are her assistants.
After preliminaries - Colby was ranked 3rd overall behind Coffeyville Field-Kinley and Tonganoxie. Both of these schools are debate powerhouses who routinely place kids into National tournaments. For Colby to rank 3rd behind them is a great accomplishment. However, at State Debate there is no team sweepstakes award, only 2-man awards.
The Eagle Debaters faced a tough field of competitors with 72 two-man teams entered in the tournament. After 6 preliminary rounds of debate the Eagles placed two of their teams into the Octa-finals. Michael T. and Christina O. went in as the 2nd seed and Tomi M. and Cameron M. moved into octa finals as the 12th seed. Michael T. and Christina O. faced the 15th seed team from Trinity Academy and won the round on a 3-0 decision. This moved them on into the quarter-finals where they faced a 7th seed team from Tonganoxie. After a tough round of debate, Tonganoxie won and Christina and Michael finished with a 4th place medal. They were returning state medalists, placing last year at State debate. Tomi M. and Cameron M. faced the 4th seed team from Coffeyville Field Kindley and lost leaving them with an 8th place medal. While we had hoped for a top two finish for Michael and Christina, we are certainly thrilled that the kids all competed so well. We are also very proud of how the kids finished their year.
Other competitors were Hannah M. and Madison G. who finished with a 3-3 record for the tournament and Sarah L. and Billy S. who finished with a 2-4 finish. These same students will take a two week break and then be back in action during Forensics season competing in a variety of events.
