Caption: From left, Debate Coach Dr. Justin Gus Foote and students Alex Arndt and Abiah George were in New York for the Off-Broadway Swing speech and debate competition. 

ABERDEEN, S.D. –  Last weekend Northern State University Speech and Debate sent a small but mighty crew to New York City to compete in two styles of debate at the Off-Broadway Swing competition. This year marked the largest in the tournament’s long history, as 22 schools from 16 states brought over 400 students total entries to the tournament.

On Dec. 2, Alex Arndt, a senior from Blue Springs, Missouri, and Abiah George, a freshman from Aberdeen, competed in International Public Debate, finishing preliminary rounds with records of 3-1 and 4-0 respectively. Both received Silver Awards (tied for second overall). George was tied for fifth place overall individual speaker and Arndt placed 12th.   Northern was the only team to place multiple debaters into the final round  of International Public Debate. Northern placed fourth in overall debate standings. Northern also earned the quality award, recording 20.5 points per entry.  The next closest competitor only earned 9 points per entry.

On Dec. 3, George and Arndt competed in National Parliamentary Debate, going 3-1 in preliminary rounds. They advanced to elimination rounds  as the third seed in the tournament and, after a hard-fought win in the semifinals, they cruised through the final round winning the tournament championship. Arndt placed third in overall debate speaker awards, while George placed 11th. Northern placed fifth in overall debate standings. Again, Northern also earned the quality award, recording 19 points per entry. The next closest competitor only earned 13 points per entry.

Overall, Northern State University was the only school to place multiple debaters into the final round each day and the only school to have debaters place within the top 15 overall speaker awards both days. With a total of three entries out of the 400 plus at the tournament, Northern was able to outscore the following schools: Tennessee State University, Texas Southern University, Seton Hall, Appalachian State University, University of Florida, San Diego Mesa Community College, Ohio University, Harper College, Denison University, West Chester University, Colorado College, Lafayette University, Hofstra University, Emerson College, Dutchess Community College, St. Joseph’s University, and Queens College.

The team greatly appreciates the support from the Dean of Students Sean Blackburn, Dean of College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Alyssa Kiesow, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Erin Fouberg, Provost Dr. Mike Wanous, and President Dr. Neal Schnoor. Their enthusiastic backing of Northern State Speech and Debate allows our students opportunities to compete events that highlight the academic and sociocultural success they have garnered through their education at Northern State University. If you would also like to support the Northern Speech and Debate team in their efforts and endeavors, you can make a gift here: https://bit.ly/GiveNSU. Please note “Speech and Debate” in the Special Notes section when making your gift.

If you see Arndt and George around campus or out in the Aberdeen community, please congratulate them on their success in The Big Apple.  The team is coached by Dr. Justin Gus Foote.