Idaho State Shines at Speech and Debate Tournament

Eight Bengal speakers and debaters brought home awards from the University of Utah over Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend where 12 colleges met to compete for rhetorical gold.

Trey Mitchell, (Pocatello, economics and philosophy); Emma Grow, (Idaho Falls, nursing); and Chelsea Blanchard (North Idaho) all cleared to
octa-finals at the GSL portion of the tournament, held January 13.

The University of Texas El Paso portion of the tournament was held January 14. The Program of Oral Interpretation contest was won by ISU Bengal Pair Mandi Hesby (Dietrich, social work) and Isaac Brambila, (Idaho Falls, secondary education).

Idaho State’s entry in IPDA Debate closed out the tournament finishing a remarkable 1/3 of a point win Olivia George, (1st, Social Work), over Jonathon Stoneback, Pocatello, Computer Science & Philosophy), Isaac Brambila and Mandi Hesby.

Andy Christensen, Assistant Director of ISU Debate said “We couldn’t be more proud of our people. Each of their accolades is well earned, and represents countless hours of wordcraft and practice before delivery.”

The Bengals next compete online at the 42nd Annual Pioneer Trails Tournament February 4th and 5th [Virtually] from Caspar College, WY, and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL.