The Sterling College Debate/Forensics team celebrated Valentine’s Day bringing home several awards and honors in the annual “Sweetheart Swing” double forensics tournaments at Cameron University in Lawton, Okla. 

The two back-to-back tournaments were held February 6-9. The Sterling team returned triumphant by placing second in both tournaments and second overall. Six students represented Sterling including three freshmen, two sophomores, and one senior. 

Coach Ken Troyer said, “It’s great to see students that put forth the most effort and time being aptly rewarded.” Senior Miquala Purscell, Hoisington, said, “Sterling College Debate & Forensics has a proud history of bringing home wins.  This weekend was no exception.”

Sterling students taking first place in their respective events included Purscell in Extemporaneous Speaking and Persuasion; Natalynn Gulick, freshman from Eureka, in Impromptu and freshman Brennan Blake, Cambridge, MN, and Bailey Brewer, sophomore from Hutchinson, in Duo Acting. 

Sophomore Davi Brooks, Sterling, took second place in the International Public Debate Association (IPDA) Debate. Freshmen Chandler Reiman, Kinsley, and Blake took second in Duo Acting. Purscell also took second in Persuasion (at the earlier tournament) and third in Open IPDA Debate. 

The Sterling team’s three freshmen competitors were named Top Novices in their respective events: Gulick in Impromptu, and Blake and Reiman in Duo. 

Troyer said, “Miquala had an exceptional weekend with two 1sts, two 2nds and two 3rds.  Natalynn should also be commended – taking 1st at her first collegiate tournament in the largest event is no small feat.”

Among the schools competing in the two-tournament weekend were Oklahoma City University, West Texas A & M, University of Texas/Dallas, and Colorado Christian University. Sterling College was the smallest school in attendance. 

The team next travels to Tulsa Community College for a February 21-22 tournament. Later this spring they will journey to Nashville and to Ohio for competition.