The Whitworth forensics team competed in the Lewis & Clark College tournament in Portland, OR Oct. 11-14. The team started their season by bringing home a total of 27 awards, 13 in speech events and 14 in debate.

“Whitworth cleaned up,” sophomore Sam Director said. “It went really well, at a team level and at a competitive level.”

At Lewis & Clark, Whitworth was third out of 20 in speech and second of 38 in debate. This year the most common events among the team members are extemporaneous, informative and prose. Fifteen of the sixteen students are involved in argumentative debate. Several coaches of opposing teams have commented on the poise and professionalism of the team.

“We compete against schools of all sizes,” director of forensics Mike Ingram said.

When competing in debate, Whitworth is not restricted to competing against other Division III schools. Instead, Whitworth was able to defeat regional rivals that included the University of Utah, the University of Oregon, Oregon State University and Utah State University.

“The Whitworth liberal arts education gives a real advantage,” Ingram said.

Returning debater sophomore Jon Kim joined the team at the start of the second semester last year. Kim said being on the team takes time, but the teammates make it worth it.

“I can really appreciate the family aspect now,” Kim said.

Ingram said he hopes the forensics team will continue to represent the University well, learn how to better communicate for the short term and the future and, of course, enjoy the success of winning.

“We have five members back from last year and we have four new students, including an international student,” Ingram said.

This academic school year, Ingram said he intends for the team to compete at different tournaments in the Northwest and to attend two or three national tournaments.  The second is Oct. 18-21  at the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho. In December, Ingram hopes to put on an open house for the Whitworth community to come and observe a sampling of the forensics events. In the meantime, students who are interested in learning more about the team are welcome to contact Ingram via email.

Contact Laryssa Lynch at [email protected]