The Sterling College Debate and Forensics team has been successful this semester, already qualifying three students for national tournaments in the spring along with several personal awards.

Amanda Del Toro of Manhattan, Kansas, qualified for the National Forensic Association Lincoln Douglas debate national tournament during her first tournament of the season at Southwest Baptist University. Overall, she placed fifth.

At the Lafayette College Debate Tournament, Gage Brookman of Hutchinson, Kansas, and Bryce Harner of Hutchinson, Kansas, also qualified for nationals in their first tournament of the year. Brookman finished fifth at the tournament and Harner placed third.

“Our team for nationals is building quickly, which is exciting to see. With three already qualified, we can continue to work on building up each other’s strengths and find strategies to help with weaknesses. There is a lot of time before nationals in April, so we need to stay sharp as we focus on upcoming tournaments to help us prepare,” said Ken Troyer, debate coach.

The Sterling College Debate and Forensics team has six more tournaments, which they hope will lead to qualifiers for nationals in forensics and more debate placements.

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.