The Lower Columbia College Fighting Smelt Speech & Debate Team won the 2-year college division and earned the most overall sweepstakes points at the Earl Wells Memorial Speakeasy tournament, hosted by Oregon State University.
This result affirms that this LCC squad can be successful against the top programs in the region and is a great sign as the team prepares for postseason national tournaments.
This result was a true team effort, with all eight LCC students experiencing individual success.
Julia Mitchell of Kelso earned the prestigious Pentathlon Award, which is presented to the top student competing in five or more individual events. Mitchell was the champion in Extemporaneous Speaking, Persuasive Speaking, and Impromptu Speaking, as well as the runner-up in Informative Speaking and the satirical category of Bad Interp. She was also named 2nd place speaker in Open IPDA Debate.
Molly Mahoney of Kelso earned sweepstakes points in all five of her competition events. She and teammate Ilinca Slabu were champions of the satirical category Bad Interp for their cringeworthy dramatic duo performance of the Dr. Seuss Classic “Green Eggs and Ham.” Mahoney was also champion of novice Impromptu Speaking, 3rd place in Persuasive Speaking, and 6th place in Extemporaneous Speaking. She advanced to the Quarterfinal round in novice IPDA Debate and was named 7th novice speaker.
In addition to winning Bad Interp with Mahoney, Ilinca Slabu of Longview advanced to the Semifinal round in novice IPDA Debate and was named 3rd novice speaker. Slabu also placed 3rd in novice Impromptu Speaking and 7th in Extemporaneous Speaking.
Pictured: Mitchell Levy, Ilinca Slabu, Rebecca Pickner, Julia Mitchell, Molly Mahoney, Elizabeth Brown, Victoria DelSasso, Jagger Norris, Eli Tovar.
Elizabeth Brown of Kalama was the champion in Informative Speaking with a new speech exploring the medical classification of pain as a vital sign. Brown was also runner-up in Extemporaneous Speaking. She advanced to the Quarterfinal round in novice IPDA Debate and was named 2nd novice speaker.
Mitchell Levy of Kelso finished 5th place in Extemporaneous Speaking for his speech answering the question “Does Medicare For All Who Want It have greater appeal than Medicare For All?” Levy also advanced to the Quarterfinal round in open IPDA Debate.
After a slow start the tournament, Eli Tovar of Castle Rock fought back and advanced to the Quarterfinal round in open IPDA Debate. Tovar also finished 3rd in After Dinner Speaking.
Jagger Norris of Longview earned the first two wins of his intercollegiate debate career. Norris also competed in Extemporaneous Speaking.
Victoria DelSasso of Castle Rock placed 7th in Informative Speaking for her speech on liberal arts education.
LCC Speech and Debate will finish the regional competition season with the AFA-NIET district qualifier tournament at Lewis & Clark College on February 29th, then gear up for IPDA and Phi Rho Pi Nationals.
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.