The Barton Debate and Forensics team performed well in its first tournament of the year at the “Debates on a Plain” tournament at Hutchinson Community College September 26-28.
Sophomore Chase Pumford of Great Bend tied for third place in International Public Debate Association (IDPA) Debate and placed third out of 21 speakers in National Forensic Association Lincoln Douglas (NFA-LD) Debate.  
Freshman Rachel Schloctermeier of Ellinwood placed fourth out of 21 in NFA-LD Debate.  
As a team Barton placed third overall in IDPA Sweepstakes and third Place in Overall Sweepstakes.  They also placed first in the NFA-LD Debate Sweepstakes and third overall in the Swing Sweepstakes.
Barton Forensics Coach Bill Sheffield said he was happy with the outcome.
“It’s a great start to the year for Barton Forensics,” Sheffield said.  “It was some tough regional competition and bringing home awards from this tournament is usually well-deserved.  Chase was a key component of our team last year and he’s picking right back up where he left off at the end of the last season.  Rachel showed why we recruited her to join our squad this year, and I’m looking forward to strong performances from her throughout this season.  These strong individual performances were instrumental in placing well in tournament sweepstakes standings.”