Saddleback College’s Speech and Debate Team Takes 7th Place in National Tournament

Posted By CotoBlogzz

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA -- The Saddleback Speech and Debate Team competed at the 2016 Phi Rho Pi National Tournament from April 5^th to the 10^th placing 7^th place.  The students this year spoke about timely and socially significant topics, including stigmas about gays in athletics, faculty shortages in special education programs, high rates of doctors’ suicides, and the need for “white” alliances in racial discourse

The students representing Saddleback College  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

 2016 Phi Rho Pi National Tournament Results

• Monster, an Interpreters Theatre, starring Nadiya Dubova, Sergio Ochoa, and Tyler Kline, Bronze Medal
• Dante Johnson, Gold Medalist, Persuasive Speaking
• Dante Johnson, Silver Medalist, Prose Interpretation
• Sergio Ochoa, Silver Medalist, Poetry Interpretation
• Sergio Ochoa, Bronze Medalist, Dramatic Interpretation
• Elyssa Hulse, Bronze Medalist, Communication Analysis 
• Nikki Friedman, Bronze Medalist, Persuasive Speaking
• Sergio Ochoa & Taylor Stickle, Bronze Medalist, DUO Interpretation
• Taylor Stickle, Bronze Medalist, Prose Interpretation
• Tyler Kline, Bronze Medalist, International Public Debate

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. 

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.

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.