BOLIVAR, MO – Southwest Baptist University forensics team won the first place team championship at the National Pi Kappa Delta Tournament held in St. Louis March 7-9. SBU competed against 47 colleges and universities from around the United States to claim the top honors. SBU was ranked number one among the competing universities along with Carson Newman, McKendree University, S.E. Illinois State, University of Central Michigan, Webster University, Harper College, University of West Florida and Tulsa Community College.
Members of the SBU traveling team included: Caprice Applequist, Ryan Butler, Brea Carico, Tricia Coor, Andy Fetters, Becca Koe, Jordan Hart, Stephen Jenkins, Sean McCormack, Nathan Ross, David VanBebber, Justin Wessels and Daniel Wilson.
“Our scholars represented the University very well, and every member of the team contributed to the great outcome,” said Dr. Bob Derryberry, director of forensics and senior professor of communication arts.
“Participating on the SBU forensics team at Pi Kappa Delta Nationals was truly an honor,” said Coor. “All of my team mates were very gracious in their help and encouragement to me. All participating members have made me feel very welcomed and talented regardless the outcome of any one event or tournament. I know I am truly blessed to be a part of this program.”
There were numerous highlights for the SBU communicators. In debate, VanBebber finished the 2nd ranked speaker in his division (IPDA) of debate. Applequist achieved the 2nd place finish in junior Lincoln-Douglas speaker rankings, and Fetters, Koe and Wessels were the 2nd, 4th and 5th ranked speakers in their division, respectively. In parliamentary debate, the team of Fetters and Wessels advanced to quarter finals, and Coor and Koe advanced to semifinals. VanBebber and Carico reached quarter finals in public debate, and the team of Hart and McCormack reached quarters in open parliamentary debate. Applequist was recognized for her first place championship win in junior division of Lincoln-Douglas Debate.
The SBU speakers made impressive achievements in individual events as well. In biographical informative speaking, Applequist, Carico and Wilson finished first, third and fourth respectively. Persuasive speaker Hart was awarded sixth place, and McCormack and Butler achieved an excellent rating in the same event. Ross achieved an excellent rating in program interpretation. Coor finished with an excellent in dramatic interpretation. VanBebber was a semifinalist in poetry interpretation, and Wilson received and excellent rating in Student Congress.
“I am grateful for the hard work my friends and colleagues invested this year,” said VanBebber. “It has been a humbling experience to compete alongside my dear friends and to be encouraged by coaches Dr. Derryberry, Dr. Compton and Mr. Bryan Fisher at Nationals. Our program has been rewarded in back-to-back PKD National success, and the treasured achievement reflects the dedication to excellence of each member of our team.”
Dr. Derryberry expressed gratitude for the work of every team member, faculty friends and colleagues and especially Dr. Josh Compton, assistant professor and chair of the Bob R. Derryberry Department of Communication Arts, who supported the team and served in the tabulation room at the national tourney. Mr. Fisher, former team member and 2005 alum, also assisted the group in meeting judging obligations for the tournament.
“We spent many hours in preparation for the Missouri State Tournament and this National Comprehensive Tournament,” said Dr. Derryberry, “The competition at both tournaments was strong and provided a great learning experience for our students. Of course, we are delighted and humbled by the outcomes. We always have so much more growth to accomplish, but this year’s PKD National will remain a wonderful memory for a long time.”
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