Posted on March 27, 2017
CCU's Speech and Debate team wins National Championship
Colorado Christian University's Speech and Debate team returned as champions after winning the National Championship at the National Christian College Forensics Invitational (NCCFI) hosted by Grand Canyon University on March 18-20.
Shortly after this win, the team celebrated a top four finish at the Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament, hosted at Boise State University in Idaho on March 21-25. This is a new level of success for CCU's Speech and Debate team as they continue to flex their debate skills and climb the ranks, and is a leap forward after earning sixth place in last year's tournament.
Other wins included CCU Speech and Debate program director, Dr. Chris Leland, being named National Coach of the Year by the Christian College Association after the NCCFI invitational. In addition, Leland was elected president of Pi Kappa Delta after the tournament at Boise State.
Highlights of the tournaments included freshman Peter Allevato being named the national champion in International Public Debate Association (IPDA) debate and senior Joe Maroney being named All-American - an honor reserved for only ten students each year.
The CCU Speech and Debate team came out ahead of over 100 teams of all sizes and divisions across the country. Individual finishes included Megan Maryuama (junior) finishing third in IPDA debate; Will Martin (sophomore) and Cole Brown (senior) receiving first place in team debate; Joe Maroney and Tyler King (freshman) finishing as top speakers in Extemporaneous Speaking; Ali Gordon (senior) and Mikayle Jacquot (junior) as top speakers in Communication Analysis; Sheridan Brown (sophomore) and Ben Myers (sophomore) as top speakers in Student Congress; and top finishes in Public Forum Debate by teams Kalyn Mizelle (freshman) and Megan Maryuama, as well as Tyler King and Mikayle Jacquot. Emily Erickson (junior) and Morgan Getts (senior) also celebrated individual outstanding finishes during the tournament.
"Each of these accomplishments demonstrates the reputation CCU Debate has built over the last six years," said Leland. "To be a program that has only been around for six years, these finishes and acknowledgements are amazing and truly a testament to how honoring the Lord first can bring favor to our efforts."
For more information on CCU's Speech and Debate program, visit ccu.edu/debate.