The Sterling College debate and forensics team started off its season with a bang. The team accrued multiple honors when it competed Sept. 25-27, 2015, at the ninth annual “Debates on a Plain” debate and forensics tournament, which Sterling College co-hosted with Hutchinson Community College. Thirteen schools competed, including the University of Nebraska, Texas State University, West Texas A&M University and Kansas State University.

“This is an incredible start to our season. I’m very impressed by the team’s hard work; it has definitely paid off. We look forward to our next tournament at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 3-4,” said Ken Troyer, director of debate and forensics.

Sophomore Gage Brookman of Hutchinson, Kansas, was awarded second place overall speaker at the tournament, while freshman Zach McElfresh of Kechi, Kansas, was named top speaker in the IPDA category.

Senior Darren Kootz-Eades of Great Bend, Kansas, and Brookman both advanced to elimination rounds in Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Brookman advanced to the final round where he dropped a split decision to a competitor from the University of Central Missouri and ended up placing second. Kootz-Eades was eliminated during quarterfinals and took fifth place.

Sterling College students Cody Campbell of Buckeye, Arizona; Nicole Ellerman of Topeka, Kansas; Bryce Harner of Hutchinson, Kansas; Sarah Julian of Yoder, Kansas; Wesley Lowrey of Topeka, Kansas; Lindy Smith of Sharon Springs, Kansas; and Amanda Del Toro of Manhattan, Kansas, also competed at the tournament and contributed to the team’s success.

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.