Speech and debate team season highlights
The Speech and Debate Team did a fantastic job the season, securing three national rankings in 2022-23. Their rankings are listed below:
National Forensics Association - Founders Award, President's II Division - 2nd Place
National Debate Tournament Rankings - 17th Overall
National Education Debate Association - 3rd Place in Crossfire and Policy
Debate Team
Irshad Husain and Faith Howard, the policy team, achieved a commendable 5-3 record, securing their spot in the elimination rounds at the prestigious National Debate Tournament (NDT). This marked a significant milestone for them, as it had been nine years since they last reached the elimination rounds at the NDT. During the preliminary rounds, their only defeats came at the hands of Wake Forest, Emory, and Harvard, demonstrating their fierce competition; their journey ended in the double-octofinals when they were defeated by Iowa. However, they beat Gonzaga, Kentucky, Towson, Tufts, and Michigan State.
Their journey continued at the National Education Debate Association National Tournament (NEDA), where they showcased their talent across multiple divisions. They claimed 3rd place in Crossfire, 3rd place in Policy, 5th place in Novice Rapidfire, and 6th place in Varsity Rapidfire. Notably, their remarkable individual performances also earned them well-deserved recognition. Jessica Schmidt secured the 2nd Place Speaker award in Novice Rapidfire, Lukis Bagdon earned the 3rd Place Speaker award in Varsity Policy, and Victoria George achieved the 5th Place Speaker award in Varsity Rapidfire.
Speech Team
The remarkable Wayne State Speech team secured an impressive 14th place in the National rankings. Their exceptional talent in impromptu speaking earned them 3rd place nationally. To add to their accomplishments, they received the Founders Award, an award representing decades of dedication and contribution from every alumnus of Wayne State University's speech program. With a history spanning over 40 years and an accumulation of over 4,100 points, this victory stands as a testament to the legacy of WSU.
Both the Speech and Debate teams particpated in the 2023 Communication Student Showcase. Click here to see photos from the event.