Debate Team Among Best in the Nation

Members of the forensic union celebrate after the National Forensic Association. Pictured, top row, from left: Macy Cecil, Michael Garrett, Peyton Gilbert, Johnathan Christy, Cami Smith, Tyler Behymer, Jackson Elder and Alexis Cook. Bottom row, from left: Rebecca Walker, Austin Sopko, Audrey Baker and Will Henrickson.

The forensic union placed third in the Lincoln-Douglas debate at the National Forensic Association Championship, hosted in the Santa Ana, Calif., School District, and has once again proven to be a top debate school in the United States.

Twelve students traveled to the competition where Truman was among more than 90 schools competing in both speech and debate activities. Three of Truman’s debaters placed among the top 16 in the nation. Senior Tyler Bahymer, senior Johnathon Christy and sophomore Peyton Gilbert each advanced to the elimination rounds before finishing as national octafinalists.

Truman Forensics continues to engage in service and leadership at the national level. Sophomore Cami Smith was elected as the national Lincoln-Douglas student representative and will serve on the National Forensic Association Lincoln-Douglas committee in the coming year. Additionally, after serving a two-year term from 2017-19, Chris Outzen, director of forensics, was re-elected to another term as an at-large representative on the NFA national council.

Participation in the forensics program is open to any student in good standing, regardless of prior speech and debate experience. For more information on how to get involved visit forensics.truman.edu or contact Outzen or Craig Hennigan, assistant director of forensics.