By The Talking Saints ended their year by winning two awards at the British Parliamentary (BP) debate championships held at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on April 6-7.
Sophomores Catherine Dudley of Pendleton, Indiana, and Charlie Said of Seattle, led the 90-team field after the first day before losing in the quarterfinals of the Open Division. The University of Vermont won open.
First years Ashlynne Jeffries of Vancouver, Washington, and Brad Tomasovic of Great Falls reached semi-finals in novice debate, won by the University of Wisconsin.
“Winning awards in a huge national field was a wonderful way to end the year,” said coach Brent Northup. “Charlie and Catherine are just sophomores, but they are making experienced teams uncomfortable. We sent five teams, to USAFA, including three debaters who had never debated before this year. Seeing novices shine is always a highlight.”
The debaters enjoyed seeing the Air Force Academy. Security was tight, and all debaters wore identifying badges and were bused in and out of the grounds each day.
“What an incredible tournament to compete at,” said June LePage, a junior from Lewistown, Montana. “The weekend was emotional, because it was the last tournament for coach Teigen Tremper and team president Finlay Bates. They’ve been such phenomenal leaders and mentors. Air Force was a wonderful experience for the team and a beautiful goodbye to two amazing Talking Saints.”
Dudley and Said were ranked among the top teams all weekend, and came away eager for next year.
“Debating at the Championship tournament was a wonderful experience!” said Said. “There were so many excellent teams to compete against, and the tournament location was quite impressive.”
“USAFA was incredible experience both in competition and outside of competition,” said Dudley. “I was proud to represent the Talking Saints at the Academy, and would return in a heartbeat.”
Jeffries, a high school cellist who became a Talking Saints with no prior speech experience, has no regrets.
“Ending the year at the Air Force Academy was incredibly special,” said Jeffries. “Going from hardly knowing what British parliamentary debate was to debating at nationals has been a whirlwind, but I am so grateful to call myself a Talking Saint. We met so many intelligent and kind debaters in Colorado, and, at the end of the day, those relationships and happy memories matter most.”
Two other Talking Saints competed at the National Speech Tournament at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire on April 6-7. Sophomore Olivia Smith of Bozeman qualified two events, and junior Anna Brown qualified six events.
“I was super grateful to go to Nationals,” said Smith. “It was an out-of-this-world experience to see the talent that is present in the speech community. And I loved getting to eat deep-fried cheese curds.”
“It was amazing to compete against some of the top speakers in the country, but also just get to make some new friends,” said Brown. “My favorite part was all the cheese we ate and watching Caitlin Clark with the girls!”
The tournaments in Colorado and Wisconsin ended a successful season.
The Talking Saints won both Linfield and Pacific regional championship tournaments this year, earning the team Gold Medal regional recognition, the 34th consecutive year the team has won or shared the regional title.
Talking Saints in action! The Talking Saints host The Night of the Talking Saints Sunday, April 28, at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center. Eight members of the team will perform entertaining and thoughtful pieces. The public is invited and treats will be served.
