The Barton Community College debate and forensics team’s season is in full swing. The team earned awards at a tournament at Hutchinson Community College Nov. 1-2 and a two-part debate and forensics tournament at Tulsa Community College Nov. 14-16.

Hutchinson Tournament
The two-part tournament was sponsored by Hutchinson Community College and the University of Nebraska-Kearney.  Freshman Rachel Schloctermeier of Ellinwood took home several awards. They are as follows:
Part One:
• Third place, informative speaking
• Sixth place, persuasive speaking
Part Two:
• Fifth place, informative speaking
• Seventh place, persuasive speaking
Barton Forensics Coach Bill Sheffield said Schloctermeier performed well.
“Rachel showcased her talents at both tournaments we attended,” he said. “Consistency is the name of the game, and Rachel’s performances in both informative and persuasive speaking resulted in bringing home awards for the Barton Forensics Team. I’m very happy for Rachel that her hard work has paid off in her individual speaking events.”

Tulsa Tournament
The two-part tournament saw Barton’s forensics team earning several individual and team awards. sophomore Chase Pumford of Great Bend placed third in Dramatic Interpretation and freshman Rachel Schloctermeier of Ellinwood placed second in informative speaking and she also placed fourth in informative speaking in the second portion of the tournament.
Barton’s team awards are as follows:
Part One:
• Third place, community college individual events sweepstakes
• First place, community college debate sweepstakes
Part Two:
• First place,  community college debate sweepstakes
• Third place, community college individual events sweepstakes
• Second place, community college combined sweepstakes
Overall Team Awards:
• Second place, community college debate sweepstakes
• Third place, community college individual events sweepstakes
• Third place, community college combined sweepstakes
Sheffield said he was happy with the outcome.
“The team’s efforts from day one of the season really paid off this weekend,” he said. “Because of the individual efforts of our team members, the program really shined when awards were handed out. As a team, to bring home seven sweepstakes awards is a rare accomplishment. The students keep moving the bar higher and higher every weekend we compete and the sky’s the limit for the Barton forensics team.”