For Immediate Release

 

Contact: Lindi Forbes, Director of Public Relations

620-820-1212 or lindif@labette.edu

 

LCC Debate Team takes 3^rd at Cameron University Tournament

Labette Community College’s debate/forensics squad traveled to Cameron University in Lawton, Okla. Nov. 29 – Dec. 1 to compete in the Cameron Christmas Classic Tournament. 

 

Joel Ybarra, Ashley Merrill, Bridget Fowler, Chris Beockman and Lee Modesitt competed in several events.  Bridget Fowler missed advancing into the final round of persuasion by one point and Ashley Merrill missed advancing into the final round of prose by two points.

 

“We’ve been working hard on our individual events,” Joel Ybarra said. “But Mr. Lakin’s focus is debate, and you could see that concentration paying off this weekend.”

 

In the debate events, Ashley Merrill and Joel Ybarra were in the top ten after the first six prelim rounds.  Lee Modesitt was in second place and advanced into semi-finals against Concordia University.

 

“I was excited to advance into my first ever semi-final round of debate,” Modesitt said.  “Once the round started I had a really good feeling that I would win.”  Modesitt won his semi-final round and advanced into the final round against Louisiana Tech University.  Modesitt won his final round on a 2-1 decision and earned 1^st place in his division.

 

In addition to receiving recognition in the debate rounds, Labette Community College also received several prestigious speaker awards.  Modesitt was recognized as the 2^nd place speaker in his division, and Bridget Fowler was recognized as the 1^st place speaker in her division.

 

Once all the points were added up at the two-day tournament, Labette Community College was awarded 3^rd place in team sweepstakes.       

 

“I am so proud of my squad,” said T. J. Lakin, debate and forensics coach at LCC.  “For most of them this is their first year to compete in any form of debate or forensics.  And this level of success shows the caliber of students that we attract to Labette.”