The Great Bend High School Panther Debate team is headed back to the 5A State Championship for the third year in a row. 

The team qualified this past Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Regional Tournament in Newton. Great Bend had a record of 8 wins and 2 losses and was runner-up to the Newton debaters who finished with a 9 win, 1 loss record.  

On the affirmative side, senior Milena Carbajal debated with junior Darcy Feist. Seniors Thomas Henrikson and Chrisangel Adame represented Great Bend on the Negative. Sophomores Zachary Hart and Quinton Heath served as the teams’ alternates. Both of the Panther’s teams were victorious over Valley Center, Maize South, Emporia, and Hutchinson but  suffered a loss to the Newton squad.

Debate coach Kim Heath expressed how proud she was of the students by saying, “I am incredibly excited for each and every member of our squad. Qualifying for the state competition is a testament to our whole team working together to research and prepare. These four debaters have been committed to this goal all season long. I look forward to taking them to the state competition and watching them continue to support and challenge each other. It is time to make our mark at the state level!”

The State tournament four-speaker tournament will not be held until next Jan. 12-13 at Olathe North High School. At the State tournament, Great Bend will also be represented by Rhys Froetschner and Quinton Heath. The Sophomores qualified for the state two-speaker tournament earlier in the season.   

In addition to the KSHSAA event, the Panthers will be in action at two other postseason tournaments in January. They will travel to Washburn Rural for the Novice State tournament and the Kansas Debate Classic on January 5-6.