Southwest Baptist University Forensics Team

12/15/2024

Congratulations to Josiah and Careena! We are incredibly proud of all you’ve accomplished and will truly miss having you as part of the team. Wishing you both all the best in this exciting next chapter!

12/10/2024

This weekend’s Webster Study Break competition was incredible! Despite bringing only four students for the first day and just two students staying for the second day, our team emerged as tournament champions in the overall sweepstakes for both days. I couldn’t be prouder of this amazing team and their outstanding performance!

Results:

Tournament Champions in Overall Sweepstakes (Day 1 & 2) 🎉
2nd place in IE sweepstakes (Day 1)
2nd place in IE Sweepstakes (Day 2)

Chandler Hathcock:

Tournament Champion Quadrathon (Day 1) 🎉
Tournament Champion Quadrathon (Day 2) 🎉
Tournament Champion in ADS (Day 1) 🎉
Tournament Champion in ADS (Day 2) 🎉
Tournament Champion in Prose (Day 2) 🎉
Top Novice in ADS (Day 1) 🎉
Top Novice in ADS (Day 2) 🎉
Top Novice in Informative (Day 1) 🎉
Top Novice in Informative (Day 2) 🎉
Top Novice in Prose (Day 2) 🎉
2nd in Informative (Day 1)
2nd in Informative (Day 2)
5th in Extemp (Day 1)
5th in Prose (Day 1)

Josiah Thiele:

Tournament Champion in Informative (Day 1) 🎉
Tournament Champion in Informative (Day 2) 🎉
2nd in Extemp (Day 1)
2nd in Extemp (Day 2)
3rd in Impromptu (Day 2)

Ben Hines:

Tournament Champion in Communication Analysis (Day 1) 🎉
6th in Impromptu (Day 1)

Nick Pruett:

Finalist/ 2nd in Junior IPDA
2nd in IPDA Speaker Points

11/19/2024

Last week, two students had the honor of participating in the second annual National Geospatial Intelligence Agency Collegiate Debate. Out of only five schools selected nationwide, two students were chosen from each to represent their institution in a team policy debate. Our students, Josiah Thiele, a senior, and Ben Hines, a junior, delivered exceptional real-world policy debates in front of policymakers from the agency. They advanced to the semi-final round, and we are incredibly proud of their achievement. The agency was highly impressed by their debating skills, and it was an honor to showcase our talent to an organization whose policy decisions have a significant impact today.

11/10/2024

Wishing the cast and crew of Die Fledermaus an amazing performance!

10/29/2024

We had another great year in Chicago at the Moraine Valley Applequist Tournament!

Here are the results:

4th place in overall sweepstakes

Ellie Barker:
Tournament Champion in Cross Squad Improv 🎉
3rd place in POI
5th place in Poetry

Careena Campbell:
3rd place in Communication Analysis 6th
Semi finalist in Open IPDA

Ben Hines:
4th place in Communication Analysis
6th place in Extemp

Josiah Thiele:
4th place in Extemp
6th place in Informative

Noelle Porter:
4th place in After Dinner Speaking
4th place in Dramtic Interpretation

Chandler Hathcock:
5th place in Cross Squad Improv
6th place in Novice Informative

Hannah Raub:
Semifinalist in Novice IPDA

10/15/2024

We had a great time competing for 3 days at the UCM swing tournament. So proud of these bright young scholars. Here are a the results:

Missouri Mule Tournamnet:

Hannah Raub:
Tournament Champion in Novice IPDA 🎉
3rd place in Speaker Points Novice IPDA
6th place in Open Extemp

Chandler Hathcock:
Tournament Champion Speaker in Points Novice IPDA 🎉
Quarterfinalist in Novice IPDA
6th place in Open Informative
7th place in Open Impromptu

Noelle Porter:
4th Place in Dramatic Interpretation
6th place in Open After Dinner Speaking

Josiah Thiele:
3rd place in Open Informative

Ben Hines:
3rd place in Open Communication Analysis

Carnegie Swing:

3rd place in Individual Events Sweepstakes

Josiah Thiele:
2nd place in Open Informative
5th Place in Open Extemp

Noelle Porter:
3rd place in Open Dramatic Interpretation
4th place in Open After Dinner Speaking

Ben Hines:
8th place Open Impromptu
3rd place Open Communication Analysis

10/12/2024

This weekend, we’re at the UCM Mule Tournament in Warrensburg, MO. Yesterday, our students debated for 15 hours, and I couldn’t be more proud of their hard work. Congratulations to Chandler Hathcock for advancing to the second round of Novice IPDA eliminations, and a special shoutout to our star debater, Hannah Raub, for making it to the final round of Novice IPDA. Hannah was up bright and early this morning, competing in the final round. Today, we’re focusing on individual events, so let’s cheer on these bright young scholars as they compete today and prepare for a brand-new tournament (Carnegie Swing) tomorrow! 🎉

09/29/2024

Incredibly proud of this team for their dedication. Despite the excitement of homecoming weekend, they chose to set that aside and compete in the 2024 Derryberry season opener.

Tournament Results:

Careena Campbell:
Tournament Champion in Informative 🎉
3rd Place Communication Analysis

Hannah Raub:
Finalist in Novice IPDA (2nd place)
Top 15 in Novice IPDA Speaker Points

Noelle Porter:
Top Novice in Prose 🎉
2nd place in Open Prose

Chandler Hathcock:
Octo-Finalist in Novice IPDA
4th place in Open Prose
7th place in Open Persuasive

09/28/2024

Congratulations to Hannah Raub and Chandler Hathcock for advancing to Octofinals in Novice IPDA, rising above 50 competitors! Let’s cheer them on as they head into their next round! 🎉

09/24/2024

Coach Corlee was joined by Noelle and Ellie at this year's STAM conference, where we connected with educators and professionals from across Missouri's speech and debate community. It was a fantastic experience filled with insightful conversations, networking, and learning about the latest trends in high school and middle school speech and debate programs. We're excited to take what we've learned and find new ways to better support and strengthen speech and debate programs across Missouri, ensuring students have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

09/03/2024

Dear Alumni, Friends, and Family,

We invite you to be a part of a cherished tradition at SBU—the Derryberry Season Opener! We are in urgent need of volunteer judges for both debate and individual events. No experience is required; judging is both enjoyable and rewarding!

How You Can Participate:

Sign Up: Use this link: https://forms.gle/RGcAH17KpUghzxEs9 to select the times and dates you can assist.

Scheduling: Please allow for 15-20 minutes between time slots to accommodate any schedule adjustments.

Your involvement will help honor and continue the remarkable legacy of Bob R. Derryberry, ensuring the success of this beloved event at our beautiful campus. Many students and teams treasure the SBU tournament as a meaningful part of their academic journey, and your support keeps Bob R. Derryberry's vision alive.

We sincerely appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you on campus!

Taylor Corlee
Director of Forensics

Derryberry 2024 Volunteers

08/20/2024

I’m thrilled to introduce the 2024-2025 Speaking Bearcats! After an intense week of forensics camp, we’re energized and ready to kick off another incredible season.