Rupp Debate Places Second at National Tournament
April 12, 2022
Idaho State debater Joseph Tyler argued 14 rounds of debate last weekend delivering a 12-2 win-loss record to seize silver in the final round in the varsity division of the International Parliamentary Debate Association’s 25th National Championship Tournament.
Tyler, a Pocatello senior majoring in Global Studies, competed against 100 other entries from 44 universities in his division. Typical topics ranged from 鈥淭here has never been a good war or a bad peace鈥� to 鈥淭he US should better address foreign spies.鈥� He missed the first place honor on a split decision.
The Bengals鈥� Jordan Reynolds (Blackfoot), a graduating senior in Communication also received recognition as one of the top 30 in the varsity division. Seniors Abbey Vaughn and Alyson Tyler also debated in preliminary rounds, and later served as team researchers in the final rounds.
鈥淭his tournament is our second major success this year on the national stage, but it鈥檚 bittersweet.鈥� said Head Coach Sarah Partlow-Lefevre. 鈥淲e鈥檙e so proud of our graduating seniors, but saying goodbye is emotional for the entire team.鈥�
鈥淭hese students are really fantastic individuals, and I count it a distinct privilege to have been involved in their mentoring,鈥� said Andy Christensen, the team鈥檚 Assistant Director. 鈥淲e are so incredibly proud of them and their combined efforts. Joseph may have delivered the presentation in the final round, but this particular kind of debate uses arguments from the whole team working as one.鈥�
Idaho State debaters and coaches have worked diligently all season to prepare for this tournament. This year marks ISU鈥檚 most competitive performance at the IPDA National Tournament.
The Rupp Debate program is supported by the ISU Department of Communication, Media, and Persuasion, the ASISU, and the College of Arts and Letters.
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