BHSU students represent university at national debate tournament
23 April 2018
For the fourth-straight year, a debate student at Black Hills State University advanced to the tournament final rounds at the International Public Debate Association’s National Tournament in Spokane, Wash.
Four Black Hills State University students traveled to the west coast recently, where they represented the University at the national tournament: Cheyenne Rost, speech and communication major from Thorton, Colo.; Jace Marchiando, environmental physical science major from Rapid City; Rachel Kane, exercise science major from Broadus, Mont.; and Megan Wattenhofer, biology major from Rapid City.
Wattenhofer placed at the tournament as an Octofinalist and won the tenth place speaker out of 74 competitors in her division.
"Traveling to national tournaments gives the BHSU team an opportunity to expand our reach in terms of competitive experience and understanding of debate,” says Wattenhofer. “For me, just competing at a tournament of this magnitude is great, and placing at the tournament was an honor as well as a fantastic end to the competitive season.”
This year was the first time that a BHSU-Rapid City student Marchiando competed in the national tournament.
“The whole team grew through competition at this tournament and is very much looking forward to next year," says Wattenhofer.
The team is now gearing up and planning a trip to England in the fall to represent BHSU at international tournaments.
The BHSU Speech and Debate Club in Rapid City meets on Tuesdays from 2-4 p.m. in Room 201 and in Spearfish on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays at 3 p.m. in Jonas 208A. For information about joining the BHSU Speech and Debate Club, contact Dr. Ryan Clark at (605) 642-6283 or email Ryan.Clark@BHSU.edu