Breaking new ground once again for the Sterling College Debate Team, seniors Gage Brookman and Bryce Harner were selected to participate in a national round robin debate tournament at Western Kentucky University. The Alexis Elliott Memorial Round Robin for Lincoln Douglas Debate invited 12 students and will be held on Sept. 22-24.

“For Gage and Bryce to both be chosen as the top 12 debaters in the nation is a great honor. It is the first time in Sterling College history that our students have been invited to this competition, and doubly impressive that we had two invited. I am thrilled for these two, and can’t wait for their season to begin,” said Ken Troyer, debate coach for Sterling College.

The competitors invited have a combined experience of 25 elimination rounds of National Forensic Association National tournament experience. Selected students are from Hillsdale College, Wiley College, Truman State University, University of Central Michigan, John Carroll University, Western Kentucky University as well as Sterling College.

Sterling College Forensics senior Dara Quastad has also started the year on a positive note. Her persuasive speech from the 2016-17 competition season was published in a manuscript of top speeches by the The Interstate Oratorical Association. Only the top 50 persuasive speakers in the nation were invited to compete in the Interstate Oratorical Association competition, which was then turned into a manuscript.

“Dara did a fantastic job competing last year, which was also her inaugural year in competition. Being a novice who had never competed at any level and going all the way to nationals is rare. Our team and I are really proud of her and are eager to support her this year,” said Troyer.