The Great Bend High School debate squad traveled seven two-person teams to two different tournaments on Sept. 22 and won six medals and a sweepstakes trophy.
At the Wichita Heights novice tournament Kameko Schultz and Jordann Otten placed third at their first tournament of the season and Jack Pumford and Jordan Stoulil placed sixth out of 52 novice teams. “Going to my first tournament I was very nervous but once Jordan and I started competing, I was eager to continue on to the next round. I thought we all did a great job,” Schultz said.
At the Nickerson Cowbell Classic, the open team of Chase Pumford and Marissa Hoisington went undefeated in a first-place campaign. “Taking first place at our first tournament was a great way to start out the season. I’m looking forward to a fantastic year,” Hoisington said.
Their efforts, along with the help of three novice teams that all came close to placing individually, allowed the team to place third overall as a squad. “The individual awards are always great and I’m always excited to get them, but the team awards are the best. It means everyone contributed and can be proud of our accomplishment as a team,” said debate coach Barbara Watson.
Because of no tournaments occurring this weekend, the Panther debate squad will be resting up before heading back out the following weekend on Oct. 6.