MRH Speech and Debate traveled to Des Moines, Iowa to compete at the National Speech and Debate Association’s 100th annual week-long National Championship Tournament.

 

The team of senior Maia Truemper and junior Vera Pantazis finished 26th in the nation. 188 debate teams qualified for the national tournament from thousands who sought a bid through state district competition. Maia and Vera faced 9 competitors from across the nation; their only losses were to teams that finished in the top 20.

 

Judges additionally recognized Vera as the 12th-best speaker in the competition’s nearly 400 debaters. Vera returns to the team as a 4th-year competitor, while Maia will continue her career debating for the University of Indiana.

 

MRH speakers Dizzy Funke, a first-year competitor, and two-time state champion Odessa Javier competed in speech events, but did not reach the elimination rounds. MRH Head Coach Rich McCollum was selected to be one of the 11 judges of the championship debate. At the tournament, the team was supported by McCollum, Assistant Coach Dr. Sam Smith, volunteer judge Allison Funke, and team alumni Nate Boyle.