In their penultimate debate tournament of the 2016-2017 season, five teams of Pacific Lutheran University debaters led in preliminary and elimination rounds April 8-9 at Northwest University against 15 teams including national and international competitors.
The inaugural Gary Gillespie Invitational attracted teams from all over the region, including Seattle University, University of Victoria and Dominican University.
Three teams advanced to semifinals and two teams to finals after six preliminary rounds. Tate Adams and Megan Bowen were semifinalists. Seniors Matt Aust and Brooke Wolfe and Juniors Mariah Collier and Tori Sullivan both competed finals. Matt and Brooke finished as finalists and Mariah and Tori took second place.
“I am very pleased with our performance,” Director of Forensics Justin Eckstein said. “An excellent wrap-up to the regular season.”
PLU also led in speaking points and won six of the top ten speaker awards. Lutes ranked as Tori Sullivan, 10, Megan Bowen, 9, Brooke Wolfe, 8, Mariah Collier, 5, Matt Aust, 4, and Tate Adams, 3.
PLU debate ends their competitive season at the United States Universities Debating Championship April 15-17 in Denver, Colo. Four teams will compete at the national tournament against debaters from 65 universities nationwide.
