EWC Debate Team finds success at National Tournament

Competing in novice parliamentary debate, Courtney Bustillos, Torrington, WY paired with Central Wyoming College student Katie Brooks to become the first Lancer debater to advance to the elimination rounds of a national tournament at the Pi Kappa Delta National Comprehensive Tournament in Overland Park, KS on March 15-18^th. The pair finished the first two days of preliminary competition as the 8^th seeded team out of a field of 37. After advancing to the “Sweet 16” of the national tournament, the team fell to Cal State-San Bernardino on Saturday the 17th.

The team coached by EWC communications instructor John Hansen and webmaster Ron Bronson, both former collegiate debaters who revived the EWC forensics program this year. “It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work this season for her to reach this point. We’re extremely proud of Courtney’s performance in a very competitive field,” said Hansen. “Going to your first national tournament and making it to elimination rounds is no small feat, especially for a new program. We’re excited about the future going forward.” EWC’s team of Mary Left Hand, Torrington, WY and Jessica Nyhus, Guernsey, WY were eliminated after the preliminary rounds. Among the teams they debated were Weber State, St. Cloud State, Miami University and Ferris State University.

Scholarships are available for high school seniors with speech and debate experience for the fall 2012 semester. For more information about the EWC debate program contact John Hansen at 307.532.8367