Washburn University Debate Victorious Again at Redbird Classic

Topeka, Kan. - The Washburn University debate team remains undefeated this season after their win at the Redbird Classic tournament in Normal, Illinois over the weekend. Illinois State University hosted 13 colleges and universities from across the country, including their own debate team, at this Lincoln-Douglas style debate tournament Nov. 1 - 3. Illinois College took second place, with Western Kentucky University placing third overall.

Hunter Squires, senior, brings home overall tournament champion honors in the Open Division. Andrew Rea, senior, placed second, with Jacob Bailes, senior, Ziona Jackson, freshman, and Alfonso Rascon, sophomore, placing in the top eight. Rea was also deemed top speaker of the tournament in the Open Division.

In the Junior Varsity Division, Madeline O'Leary-Worsley, freshman, placed in the top four as well as earned the top speaker honor. In the Novice Division, Sophie Grover, freshman, was crowned champion. JoAnna Marks, senior, was an octafinalist.

Chrisangel Adame, freshman, Cade Blenden, senior, Khalani Britt, sophomore, Olivia Fonseca, freshman, Daisy Larson, freshman, and Jyaire Ware, sophomore, rounded out the Washburn debate team. As is tradition, Washburn debate alumni helped judge and coach this tournament: Jenna Gorton,'23 and current graduate student in Washburn's master's communication and leadership program, Logan Michael,'24, and Shanna Carlson, '10, director of debate at Illinois State University was director of tabulation for the tournament.

"Illness was a factor at this tournament, with a few debaters having to withdraw, but the team pulled together and still found a path to success" said Dr. Kevin O'Leary, director of debate and senior lecturer for communication studies for Washburn University. "This is illustrative of some of the many skills that debating can teach, including strategy, resiliency and teamwork."

Joining Washburn, Illinois College and Western Kentucky University at this tournament were Florida State University, Fullerton College, Illinois State University, Lewis and Clark University, Purdue University, Truman State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of North Texas and William Pitt Debating Union (University of Pittsburgh).

Washburn Debate has won the first two tournaments of the 2024/2025 season, the "Washburn National Warm Up," an online tournament Sept. 14 - 15, and the "Missouri Mule," Oct. 12 - 13, at the University of Central Missouri.

O'Leary and Steve Doubledee, assistant director of debate and senior lecturer for communication studies for Washburn University, are the debate coaches for Washburn University. The Washburn University debate program focuses on Lincoln-Douglas, or LD, debate format. LD is a debate format that follows the basic time schedule 6 - 3 - 7 - 3 - 4 - 6 - 3. Each debater gets 13 minutes of total speaking time, and three minutes of question time. The rounds take approximately 45 minutes in total. Each debater receives four to five minutes of preparation time to use between speeches however they like.

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Founded in 1865, Washburn University is a public institution with more than 6,000 students involved in more than 200 academic programs. Washburn's programs lead to certification, associate, bachelor, master's degree or doctor of nursing practice and juris doctor degrees. The programs are offered through Washburn's six primary academic units - College of Arts and Sciences, School of Applied Studies, School of Business, School of Nursing, School of Law and Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech).

All programs are offered on either the 160-acre residential campus in the heart of Topeka, Kan., at Washburn Tech's campus on Topeka's west side or in the east Topeka facility. Washburn University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association and many of the individual programs have additional accreditations.

For further information, contact:
Joy Bailes
Director of Internal Communications and Brand Management
Telephone: (785) 670-2153
Cell: (785) 230-1648
Email: [email protected]

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