Saddleback’s Speech and Debate Team Takes 6th in the State Championships

Posted By CotBlogzz

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA- The Saddleback Speech and Debate Team placed 6th in state championships (2016 CCCFA State Championship Tournament) held in Concord, California.

The spirited competition featured 33 schools, some of which are the most competitive in the state and country and Saddleback demonstrated its breadth of competitive success in all four genres of competitive activities.

The team is currently preparing to compete at the 2016 Phi Rho Pi National tournament, which brings dozens of community colleges from all over the nation to compete. Asked about their chances, Co-Director Heidi Ochoa stated, “The students and coaches are working hard. They have dedicated an immense amount of time and effort to honing their craft. I have a feeling that will pay off splendidly in the coming weeks.”

Tournament Results:

6^th Place Overall.

Gold – Brian Fox

Prose: 

Gold – Taylor Stickle

Persuasion:

Silver – Dante Johnson

ADS (After Dinner Speaking)

Silver – Dante Johnson

Bronze – Erika Flores

Bronze – Rayanna McBride

Poetry

Bronze – Sergio Ochoa

Duo

Bronze - Taylor Stickle & Sergio Ochoa

Parliamentary Debate

Bronze – Rayanna McBride & Brian Fox

Impromptu Speaking

Silver – Tyler Kline

Communication Analysis

Silver – Elyssa Hulse

Reader’s Theater

Bronze – Shields, featuring Dante Johnson, Taylor Stickle, and Micaela Balcaza

The Saddleback Forensics Team started in the 1970s and prides itself on offering students the ability to create innovative arguments for future writing and speaking engagements to strengthen their critical thinking skills and to better communicate with others. On the forensics team, students write, rehearse, and perform at 6-7 tournaments against students from Universities and Community Colleges to qualify for the national tournament. The students representing Saddleback at the national tournament have placed above several competitors representing institutions throughout the year, including: Concordia University, Point Loma, California State University, Los Angeles, California State University, Long Beach, and UCLA. 

Located in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College provides quality higher education and training to the greater south Orange County community.  Having served more than 500,000 students since 1968, Saddleback College offers over 300 degree and certificate programs to help students reach their personal, career, and educational goals.  For more information, please visitwww.saddleback.edu and for Fine Arts information, please visit www.saddleback.edu/arts.

###