The trophy cases in Spencer Hall have filled up quickly this year as Sterling College continues to earn first and second places in team sweepstakes across the country. Their most recent victory was defeating the current national champions, Western Kentucky University, at the Missouri Mule Swing Speech and Debate Tournament this weekend. The tournament included top-ranked teams from across the country and was hosted by University of Central Missouri on Oct. 17-19.

“When one considers the field of competition for the weekend, the success is even more incredible. SC defeated the likes of Western Kentucky University, Texas Tech University, Wiley College, University of Central Missouri, Southwest Baptist University, Kansas Wesleyan University, Missouri State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and many others. Several of those teams are ranked nationally,” said Ken Troyer, debate and forensics coach.

The duo of Brandon Hoesli of Salina, Kansas, and Darren Kootz-Eades of Great Bend, Kansas, were named tournament champions in parliamentary debate. Bryce Harner of Hutchinson, Kansas, and Gage Brookman of Hutchinson, Kansas, finished third followed by Cody Campbell of Buckeye, Arizona, and Kalina Garfolo of Wichita, Kansas, in fifth. Hoesli was named sixth place overall speaker.

In the Lincoln-Douglas debate tournament, Harner, Hoesli and Kootz-Eades advanced to the elimination rounds where Kootz-Eades finished second place overall. Brookman was named seventh place speaker.

Nicole Ellerman of Topeka, Kansas, and Sarah Wagler of Yoder, Kansas, competed in forensics events. Both narrowly missed breaking in their individual events.

“The success of our team this weekend is a good omen for the rest of the season, and I expect two or three of our speakers to make national appearances at the end of the season,” said Troyer.

The Sterling College debate team also competed in the Sunflower Swing and The Ocho at Lafayette College. Hoesli finished third in extemporaneous speaking at the Sunflower Swing and second at The Ocho. Also at The Ocho, Brookman finished fifth overall and Harner came in seventh. The debate team came in second place in the team sweepstakes.

The weekend of Oct. 25-26, Hoesli competed in the Colorado College Mile High Tournament in forensics. He took first place in extemporaneous speaking, fourth place in program of oral interpretation and sixth place in impromptu speaking.

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kansas, with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.