Spring Break
Debate team continues reign
Jennifer Bhargava
Issue date: 10/11/04 Section: News
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The team's triumphs on the road this summer held high the standard set by UMKC debaters that came before them. On Sept. 20, UMKC participants sophomore Amy Foster and freshman Dylan Sutton finished in third place at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) season opener. Forty-eight teams from 17 colleges and universities competed in the tournament. Foster was awarded as overall second place speaker.
On Oct. 4, UMKC had two teams competing at the Kansas City Kansas Community College Tournament. Sophomore Austin Case and junior Andy Culp came out top seed, meaning they were undefeated. Foster and sophomore Gretchen Rix came out second seed, after six rounds. While all four debaters finished in the top 10, Foster was awarded as top speaker of the event.
"I got a three-by-four foot velvet painting of a Rottweiler as part of my top speaker award," said Foster. "The painting was [originally] a compensation prize for someone who poorly gambled away $500 in a shady place behind a gas station."
Foster donated the painting to the debate team, and it will hang on the wall of their new squad room. The painting has also been used for other purposes as well.
"It's pretty funny in general," said Foster. "Stan, one of our coaches, decided to place it in front of a team we debated to intimidate them."
Although Foster and the rest of the team make winning look easy, a lot of hard work and dedication go into their success.
Linda Collier, director of debate, estimates that each squad member invests between 30 to 50 hours per week on debate, in addition to traveling and competitions.
"It is essentially a never-ending process of training and working with the coaches," said Collier.
The squad members start preparing for the season in July, by working on their research assignments and training with the coaching staff. In August, one week before classes begin, the squad members attend a mini-camp, where they spend at least 60 hours, over five to six days, in work sessions. During the school year, the team travels most weekends and has meetings every Wednesday.
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