Newberry College Speech & Debate shines at Pi Kappa Delta National Speech and Debate Tournament
by Alanna Boozer - March 18, 2025
NEWS
NEWBERRY, S.C. — The Newberry College Speech & Debate Team had a strong outing at the Pi Kappa Delta National Speech and Debate Tournament, held March 13-17 at Ohio University. It marked the first appearance for the team at this competition, one of the largest tournaments in the country. Pi Delta Kappa is a national forensic honorary society that is dedicated to promoting excellence in speech and debate. For more than 100 years, its 80,000 members have pursued “The Art of Persuasion, Beautiful, and Just.”
The team of 13 Wolves demonstrated exceptional talent across a variety of categories, including extemporaneous speaking, impromptu speaking, parliamentary debate, and mock Congress. This event provided a platform for students to refine their abilities, engage in friendly competition and foster camaraderie with peers from other institutions.
Newberry College finished sixth in Debate Sweepstakes-Division. In addition, the following Wolves received distinctions in the following categories:
- Wil Lopez-Perez was the mock Congress Speaker of the House and placed 4th as the mock Congress best speaker
- Denim Morrison placed 3rd in the novice debate, tied for 6th in the International Parliamentary Debate Association (IDPA) novice debate, and placed in the top 30% in impromptu speaking
- Paul Fisher placed 8th in the JV debate, tied for 6th in the JV IDPA debate, and was in the top 30% in extemporaneous speaking
The team showcased its skills and passion for the art of communication, competing against institutions such as Cornell University, Boise State University, Seton Hall University, and Belmont University, among others.
Newberry College's streak continues in placing in every tournament entered during its first two years of existence. The team will close out the season by participating in the American Forensic Association’s National Speech Tournament. Paul Fisher and Denim Morrison both qualified for the tournament, which will be held April 4-7 in Charlotte, N.C. For more information about the Newberry College Speech & Debate program, please contact head coach David Harpool at David.Harpool@newberry.edu.
