Fallon Deatherage
News Editor
The ISU Rupp Debate Team is riding a wave of victories after a stellar showing at the annual Phi Kappa Delta tournament (PKD) in Nashville.
The PKD tournament hosted 82 different colleges from 26 states and three countries. ISU finished third in the Division II sweepstakes and third in the Division I Debate Sweepstakes. The team has had similar achievements in the past, but the last few years have been spent building the team. The results are beginning to show.
“We are definitely in an upswing,” said Dr. Sarah Partlow-Lefevre, the team’s coach. “It will be exciting to see where our team goes from here.”
ISU had two teams competing in the Public Forum Debate. Partners Alex Vail, a freshman, and Conner Coutts, another freshman, along with partners Jack Bradley, a junior, and Kaden Marchetti, a freshman, were both able to make it to the semifinals, tying them for a third-place finish.
Cameo Curnutt, a sophomore, competed in the International Public Debate Association (IPDA), a form of debate where opponents take turns striking topics from a given list and debate on the last remaining topic. Curnuttt was pleased with her performance at this year’s tournament and is looking forward to next year’s tournament in Long Island.
“I didn’t debate in high school like some of the people on the team,” Curnutt said. “I came in and had to learn a lot, but I know that these speech skills are going to help me.”
Squad president, Nick Grunig, competed in the Lincoln Douglas Debate where he debated policies to remedy police misconduct. Although he enjoyed the competition, the most memorable part of his trip was the team’s visit to Nashville’s replica Parthenon complete with a statue of the Greek goddess, Athena.
“I’ve been on successful teams before,” Grunig said. “And all of that is great, but the Parthenon really touched me and it was an experience that I am going to remember for the rest of my life.”
Senior Michael Mares competed in the IPDA as well as individual speech events.
In the slam poetry event, Mares recited a poem he wrote on the spot about his cultural background.
With several freshmen and sophomores, the team can look forward to continued success.
Team members will be in action on campus April 13 for a public debate about the Equal Rights Amendment.
The debate is part of the Intermountain Gender and Sexuality Conference.
