Idaho State University’s Rupp Debate Society performs well at Twin Falls debate tournament

Idaho State’s freshman Jordan Reynolds of Blackfoot captured top honors in novice persuasive speaking, where speakers present an original work designed to inspire or reinforce a changed belief or attitude. Reynolds discussed the historical benefits of procrastination.

Freshman Rianne Quigley of Idaho Falls, in her first collegiate competition, took third place in novice communication analysis which is original work evaluating or explaining a speech or other communication artifact like a movement, a poetic work or a poem. Quigley examined a feminist graduation address. Quigley was undefeated in debate rounds and narrowly missed breaking into the final rounds of novice debate.

Conner Coutts of Pocatello tied for fifth seed in Open International Public Debate Association debate , and also was fifth in open extemporaneous speaking. The debate finals were abbreviated and only four speakers advanced to final rounds – typically, a bracket has eight positions. In extemporaneous competition, speakers choose one of three topics and have 30 minutes to prepare original work for seven-minute speeches.

Senior Sydnee Harris of Blackfoot also participated in novice debate and was also seventh speaker. Harris also missed the final rounds due to the abbreviated bracket in novice competition. 

Team Captain Nick Grunig of Pocatello ranked 16th out of the more than 90 debaters attending.

 “We are extremely pleased with the performance of the team, and especially proud of our novices,” said Debate Director Sarah Partlow Lefevre. “The team represents the essence of the university, and their sprit is truly representative of Bengal pride.”

In the team’s first dual speech and debate combination tournament of the year, ISU competitors faced competitors from Boise State, the University of Idaho, Utah State Logan, College of Western Idaho, Northwest College in Wyoming and Lower Columbia College in Washington State.