Speech and Debate Team wins state tourney

The University of South Dakota speech and debate team placed first in the North and South Dakota state tournament held Feb. 10-11 at North Dakota State University.

In addition to winning the South Dakota state tournament for the third consecutive year, the speech and debate team also won the combined North and South Dakota title for the second consecutive year. Individually, the speech and debate team had 30 winners.�

Members who participated in the contest include Michelle Morse, Vermillion, Ellyn Kennedy, Vermillion, Brittany Ellis, Sioux Falls, Tom McElhany, Watertown, Dani Peterson, Gayville, Kimmy Smith, Omaha, NE, John Brooks, Gillette, WY, Teresa Stevenson, Sioux City, IA, and Bethany Knutson, Sioux City, IA. The speech and debate team is coached by Christina Ellis, an instructor in the Department of Communication Studies, assisted by Athena Burnison.�

In addition to the success at the state level the speech and debate team will send Smith to the National Individual Events Tournament March 30-April 4 at the University of Florida. Smith qualified for the national tournament after placing in the top three of three separate district competitions. This is Smith's first time qualifying at the national level.

The speech and debate team is also sending two teams to the National Parliamentary Debate Tournament March 24-27 at Oregon State University. Morse and McElhany will compete in the open division and Kennedy and Ellis will compete in the novice division of the tournament.