The Great Bend High School affirmative debate team of Paige VanSteenburgh, Courtney Seevers and Alex Smith and the negative team of Michael Gieck and Mickey McNett represented Great Bend High School at the Regional Four-speaker Debate Tournament at Valley Center High School Dec. 17. 
The team just missed qualifying to the State Four-speaker Tournament by just one ballot when a three-way tie was broken for the final two spots for the state tournament. 
“Regionals was a long day and took a lot of preparation,” Seevers said.  “We made it and missed state only by a little bit, next year we’ll dominate.” 
“I thought my team was very competitive at the tournament, especially for such a young team,” said Barbara Watson, debate coach.  “I have been impressed with how many tournaments they competed in this season. If they continue with that kind of motivation and enthusiasm, they should be unbeatable.”
All of the varsity debaters and two novice debaters on the team qualified for the Varsity Two-speaker Debate Tournament.  GBHS will be represented by three debate teams on Jan. 13 and 14 at Olathe North High School which is hosting the State Two-speaker Tournament, and those teams are:  Morgan Francis and VanSteenbrugh; Seevers and Nathan Stoulil; and then Marissa Hoisington and Chase Pumford.