Persuasively Speaking, Saddleback Speech and Debate Team Makes History

Posted by CotoBlogzz

Ranch Santa Margarita, CA - The Saddleback College Forensics Team placed fourth overall at the Matt Taylor Spring Regional Championships, Moorpark College, February 24-26^th), ahead of Mt. San Antonio College and four-year institutions such as Cal State Long Beach, Chapman University, Concordia University and Point Loma.

The highlight of the tournament was Forensics Team member Andrew Ronquillo placing first in Persuasion Speaking making Saddleback history.  , “Saddleback made history this weekend. We are incredibly proud of the students and particularly how Andrew Ronquillo qualified for the Interstate tournament,”  said Forensics Coach Lucas Ochoa.

By placing first in Persuasion at the regional championship tournament, the winner advances to a special qualify-only tournament.  Andrew will represent all of California in four-year and two-year schools at the Interstate Oratory Competition at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. This is the first time that Saddleback has qualified for this prestigious 139- year-old tournament, and Coach Larry Radden will accompany Andrew at the end of April in Boston.

Dr. Tod A. Burnett, President of Saddleback College, stated, “Congratulations to our forensics team for their impressive performance and to Andrew Ronquillo, who will make us all proud at the Interstate Oratory Competition.  This is truly a wonderful accomplishment and I am in awe of our talented students who continue to make a name for Saddleback College.”

Matt Taylor Spring Regional Championships results

Andrew Ronquillo- 1st Persuasion, 1^st Communication Analysis, Top Speaker in Junior Debate, Bronze Medalist in Junior Debate

Brooke Howell: Bronze Medalist Junior Debate, 9th Overall Speaker in Junior Debate, 4th Place Junior Extemporaneous Speaking

Derek Demerjian- 3rd Place Junior Poetry

Olivia Noceda- 2nd Place Junior Poetry

Dylan Lappin- 4th Place Junior Poetry, 2nd Place Junior Duo Interpretation

Jackson Lee Spencer- 2nd Place Junior Duo Interpretation

Katie Berry- 4th Place Novice Impromptu Speaking

Maria Zakhar- 3rd Place Junior Programmed Oral Interpretation

Carolina Beyer-Flores- 1st Place Novice Dramatic Interpretation

Danny McAndrews- Silver Medalist Novice Lincoln-Douglas Debate, 2nd Place Cultural Artifact Speaking

Stefany Roberts- 3rd Place Junior Dramatic Interpretation

Madison Dixon- 4th Place Junior Informative Speaking