Idaho State University sophomores Hand, Doty place third at regional debate tournament

Idaho State University debate capped off a successful fall semester with a third place showing at a regional debate tournament hosted at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash.

Sophomores Ryan Hand and Kendra Doty, both from Boise, finished in third place at the tournament held in November.

At Whitman, the Bengals fielded two teams in the entry pool, which was comprised of teams from four states, including Gonzaga University, the University of Oregon, and Whitman College, among others.

Hand was named the fourth speaker of the tournament and Doty sixth speaker. Senior Roger Copenhaver, from Seattle, was awarded seventh speaker. Doty and Hand advanced to elimination rounds after posting a 5-1 record in preliminary debates. They debated the University of Puget Sound in quarterfinals, winning on a unanimous decision. Advancing into the semifinals, Hand and Doty debated a different team from the University of Puget Sound, this time being defeated on a close 2-1 decision. 

"I'm really happy with the overall performance of the team this weekend. I think that it says really good things about our future both in the near and long terms, that we have successful underclassmen," said Lindsay VanLuvanee, ISU Debate assistant coach.

This tournament capped a very successful first semester for ISU Debate, which included clearing to elimination rounds at tournaments hosted by Gonzaga University, University of Nevada Las Vegas, and the annual Rupp debate tournament, hosted at ISU.

ISU Debate, directed by Professor Sarah T. Partlow-Lefevre is gearing up for a second semester full of travel, with higher stakes. The team will travel to its last four invitational tournaments at the University of Southern California, California State University Fullerton, Northwestern University and Weber State University, before preparing for the two national championship tournaments, held at the end of March.

The Cross Examination Debate Association will hold its national tournament here in Pocatello, on the campus of Idaho State University.  Then the team will travel to compete at the National Debate Tournament, which will be held in Ogden, Utah, on the campus of Weber State University. 

###