Competing against top schools from across the country, the Sterling College debate team ousted state and private schools to earn the title of fourth in Debate Sweepstakes at the National Forensics Association Lincoln-Douglas Debate National Tournament at Ohio University April 21. Five students contributed to the point total, earning a place in Sterling College and national debate history: Gage Brookman of Hutchinson, Kansas; Cody Campbell of Buckeye, Arizona; Bryce Harner of Hutchinson, Kansas; Brandon Hoesli of Salina, Kansas; and Darren Kootz-Eades of Great Bend, Kansas.

“I am as proud as can be of our debate team. It’s pretty unbelievable to hear the name of Sterling College being announced alongside Western Kentucky University. Our five young men representing the College did a wonderful job. Brandon may be a senior, but he is leaving a team that is stacked for next year’s competition,” said Ken Troyer, director of forensics and debate.

Sterling placed fourth alongside first- through third-place schools Western Kentucky University, Lafayette College and Truman State University. They beat schools like University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Central Missouri, Hillsdale College, Missouri State University, University of the Pacific, Central Michigan University, The Ohio State University and Miami University (Ohio). 

“We couldn’t have done it without the support of our assistant debate coach David Bowers ’14, former debate team members who helped us prepare and practice, and our longtime supporter, judge and driver Daniel Hogan. Without them and scores of others, we would never have been able to achieve this level of success,” said Troyer.

Sterling College’s Debate Team has been ranked in the top 25 nationally since 2010. They ended the 2014 season at 14^th and were able to jump 10 spots to this year’s highest ranking in school history.

Individually, senior Hoesli and freshman Brookman tied for ninth place in Lincoln-Douglas debate. Junior Kootz-Eades ended the tournament at 17^th in the national speaker awards.

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.