Pictured (Left to Right): Elizabeth Brown, Molly Mahoney,
Mitchell Levy, Eli Tovar, Alex Brehm,
Julia Mitchell, Ilinca Slabu
The Lower Columbia College Fighting Smelt Speech & Debate Team won 2nd place in Division II Sweepstakes at the Fred Scheller Invitational hosted by Pacific University.
The Lower Columbia College Fighting Smelt Speech & Debate Team won 2nd place in Division II Sweepstakes at the Fred Scheller Invitational hosted by Pacific University.
This was the final Northwest Forensics Conference (NFC) Designated Tournament of the season. In addition to the team sweepstakes award, LCC earned many individual honors from the tournament and from the conference, which represents schools in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Alaska.
Elizabeth Brown of Kalama advanced to the semifinal round in novice IPDA Debate and was named 3rd novice speaker for the tournament. Brown also finished 3rd in novice Extemporaneous Speaking and was named top novice in Informative Speaking.
Julia Mitchell of Kelso also advanced to the semifinal round of novice IPDA Debate and was named top novice speaker for the tournament. Mitchell also placed 6th in open Informative Speaking.
Ilinca Slabu of Kelso advanced to final rounds at a conference designated tournament for the first time. Slabu finished 2nd in novice Impromptu Speaking, advanced to the octofinal round of novice IPDA Debate, and was named 7th novice speaker for the tournament.
Molly Mahoney of Kelso advanced to the octofinal round of novice IPDA Debate and was named 11th novice speaker for the tournament.
Eli Tovar of Castle Rock and teammate Julia Mitchell tied for 3rd place for the prestigious Orv Iverson Award, which is given out annually to the best novice and junior level competitors in the Northwest Forensics Conference based on their cumulative season-long success. Tovar earned this award based on success in IPDA Debate, Persuasive Speaking, and Impromptu Speaking, while Mitchell earned the award through her success in Informative Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, and IPDA Debate.
Coach Alex Brehm was honored by the Northwest Forensics Conference with the Judge Educator Award, which is presented annually to a coach who supports students from all schools in the community with feedback, encouragement, and positive spirit. This honor was previously given to LCC coaching legend Mike Dugaw in 2003.
Also representing Lower Columbia College at the Scheller Invitational Mitchell Levy of Kelso.
LCC Speech and Debate will next be traveling to Oregon State University for the Earl Wells Memorial Speakeasy tournament over President's Day weekend.
Learn more about The Fighting Smelt Speech & Debate Team. For additional information contact Alex Brehm, Director of Forensics and Communication Studies Instructor, at abrehm@lowercolumbia.edu or (360) 442-2670.