Speech and debate wins big at the big apple

The dzԹ speech and debate team competed virtually in the Big Apple Debate Tournament & East Coast Early Bird hosted in New York City. They were up against 12 other colleges and universities and came out on top in overall team points in both individual events and debate.

“This was a tremendous way for the students to open the season,” saidDirector of Speech, Debate and Mock Trial, Spencer Waugh. “All debate teams had even records or winning records across all events, and this included several students who are new to the team. Our Speech Team finished its best season last year, and it is opening stronger already this season. I am so pleased with the work of all of the students and the coaches.”

Below are all the team and individual award winners of theNew York tournament.

Team Speech Results

  • dzԹ, 82
  • Cornell University, 41
  • Liberty University, 38
  • University of Alabama, 21
  • Butler University, 20

Team Debate Results

  • dzԹ 87
  • Saint Joseph’s University 57
  • Middle Tennessee State University 42

Dorian Burke

  • Tournament Champion In Duo Interpretation with Mo Marks
  • Second Place in Dramatic Interpretation
  • Second Place Individual Event Speaker
  • Third Place in Impromptu Speaking

Mo Marks

  • Tournament Champion in Impromptu Speaking
  • Tournament Champion in Communication Analysis
  • Tournament Champion in Extemporaneous Speaking
  • Tournament Champion in Duo Interpretation with Dorian Burke
  • Tournament Champion in Informative Speaking
  • Tournament Champion Individual Event Speaker
  • Second Place in Prose Interpretation
  • Third Place in After Dinner Speaking


Monserrat Saucedo and Christopher Olds

  • Semifinalists in Open Parliamentary Debate


Ryan Magalhaes and Scott Krueger

  • Semifinalists in Open Parliamentary Debate


Mo Marks

  • Quarterfinalist in Open IPDA Debate


Sydni Powell

  • Quarterfinalist in Open IPDA Debate


Jadyn Mortenson

  • Tournament Champion in Novice IPDA Debate
  • Second Place Novice IPDA Speaker

Ryan Corcoran

  • Fifth Place Open IPDA Speaker

To learn more about Speech and Debate at dzԹ, visit.