Debate team brings home awards

A recent pair of tournaments has sent the UVSC debate team home with awards and recognition.

After the Coyote Classic at the College of Idaho on Oct. 26-27, and the Northwest College Tournament in Powell, Wyo., on Nov. 9-10, team members have enough prizes to go around.

"After two grueling days, [we] came back with a backpack full of awards," said Jason Zeller, the team’s head debate coach.

The debate team, consisting of Greg Lucero and Dan Groves, took second place in the novice level at the Coyote Classic.
Lucero also took first place in impromptu and third place in extemporaneous speech. Groves placed second in the poetry competition.
 
A second debate team, Lacey Jarret and Jordon Bird, made the semifinal round, along with Lucero and Groves, and tied for third place in the competition.

"They were happy with their performance," Zeller said of the students. "Everyone was happy."

At the Northwest College Tournament, Jarret and Bird placed second and third overall in debate.

Lucero and Groves won five preliminary debates before losing in the quarterfinal round to a team from BYU-Idaho.

Lucero ranked seventh overall in debate, and Bird tied for seventh overall in impromptu speeches.

The debate team does not have another competition until Jan. 11-12, when it will compete for the first time at UVSC.