ISU debate team speakers close out Washington tournament, reach semi-finals in Oregon

ISU speakers Jordan Reynolds, Joseph Tyler and the team of Jett Smith and Jazzlynn Carranza shut down the tournament and eliminated the need for a final round Sunday night.  All three entries reached the final round undefeated.

Speakers Jordan Reynolds and Jett Smith also received accolades as top speakers at the tournament. Reynolds, a technical writing major from Blackfoot, was the top speaker tournament-wide. Smith, who studies communication, was second. He resides in Pocatello.

Notably, Reynolds and Tyler debated as “Mavericks,” meaning that they individually entered and held both roles typically occupied by two-party teams.

 “It’s not a small task for one speaker to take on both roles. To compete solo with such great results is impressive,” said Coach Sarah Partlow Lefevre,.”

Universities from Montana, Idaho, Ohio, Oregon and Washington participated.

The Bengals also competed at the Mahaffey Memorial Tournament in Oregon recently.  Smith and Reynolds competed in British Parliamentary debate and took a loss in the semi-final round on the topic of “ending gender discrimination in sports.”

Debater Joseph Tyler noted that the Oregon tournament was an excellent experience.

“Linfield [the host venue] moved the dates this year and we faced some competitors we don’t typically engage,” he said. “While nobody likes to lose a round, losing to equally good competitors makes debate rewarding.”

The ISU Rupp Debate Society squad is supported by James M. and Sharon E. Rupp, the College of Arts and Letters, the Department of Communication, Media and Persuasion and the Associated Students of ISU.