ESU sweeps national JV debate tournament

The team of Austin Case and Tiara Naputi claimed the junior varsity national debate title in a round against the University of Central Oklahoma at the National Junior Division Debate Tournament March 15-17 in Overland Park.

The two freshman communication majors went undefeated against teams from

the University of Kansas, Southwest Missouri State University, and Wichita State University on their way to winning the title -- the third time an ESU team has gone undefeated to win a tournament this year.

Case took top honors as the first place speaker, while Naputi was the second speaker, both debaters were 3 points ahead of the next closest competitor.

"This performance was dominating," said ESU debate director Ken DeLaughder. "Austin and Tiara dropped one ballot in quarterfinals, making that round a 2-1 decision and that was the closest round they had the entire tournament. They were debating at the top of their ability and no one could keep up. Tiara was beginning to get sick by the third day with a severe cold and was losing her voice. Even that could not prevent them from winning."

Also attending the tournament from Emporia State were Chad Woolard, freshman, political science and Dustin Rimmey, freshman, political science. They missed elimination rounds in a close decision.

"I am so proud of these young debaters, they worked very hard to win the title. This is Austin's first semester of competition, and Tiara's second, and if they can perform this well as first year debaters, I think that the future is indeed bright as they move into the varsity ranks," said assistant coach James Taylor.

Emporia State won the NJDDT in 1991, and has had great success at the tournament in past years. The NJDDT invitation is exclusive to debaters in their first or second year of competition, and the tournament is seen as a showcase to young talent.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>