SBU speech team excels

BOLIVAR—The Southwest Baptist University (SBU) speech and debate team began its forensics season by competing in two days of competition hosted by the University of Central Missouri Oct. 5-6. Nineteen colleges and universities from Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Nebraska, Kansas and Illinois entered with debate teams and/or individual event speakers.

Speakers representing SBU included Jordan Hart, Daniel Wilson, Sean McCormack, David VanBebber, Jessica Kershner, Nathan Ross, Caprice Applequist and Nathan St. Clair.

In overall achievement at the tournament, the SBU team finished second in individual events and third in overall competition. Top three programs in individual events were the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, SBU and Kansas Wesleyan. The top three overall sweepstakes finishers were McKendree College, Kansas Wesleyan and SBU.

In persuasive speaking, Hart finished fifth and VanBebber was second. In program interpretation of literature, Kershner finished fifth and VanBebber was third. Kershner and Ross took third in dramatic duo interpretation.

In after-dinner speaking, Applequist was fourth and Ross was third. In impromptu, three SBU speakers advanced to the finals with VanBebber taking sixth, Wilson finishing fourth and McCormack placing third.

In debate, Applequist, Hart, Wilson, St. Clair, VanBebber and McCormack represented SBU in the six rounds of competition, with the team of Hart and Applequist advancing to semifinals before their loss to McKendree College.