This past weekend, WU Debate traveled to Chicago, IL to compete in the Loyola University Swing Warm-up.

Washburn cleared all three teams at the first tournament. Sophomore Bailey Hockett (Olathe, KS) & first-year Brooke Manny (Hutchinson, KS), first-years Will Starks (Wichita, KS) & Nathan Cunningham (Silver Lake, KS), both ended up as quarter finalist, placing in the Elite 8. Sophomore Kelly Burns (Wichita, KS) & first-year Shelby Bergeron (Hutchinson, KS), made it to semi-finals, placing in the Final Four.

Washburn cleared two teams at the second tournament. Sophomore Bailey Hockett (Olathe, KS) & first-year Brooke Manny (Hutchinson, KS), qualified as quarter finalist, making it to the Elite 8 yet again. First-years Will Starks (Wichita, KS) & Nathan Cunningham (Silver Lake, KS), made it to semi-finals, placing in the Final Four. Sophomore Kelly Burns (Wichita, KS) & first-year Shelby Bergeron (Hutchinson, KS), narrowly missed breaking do to points.

This tournament performance is a huge accomplishment for the Washburn Debate team. Our young teams competed against other universities more experienced junior/senior teams and were 2 ballots away from being in finals. This tells us Washburn debate has competitive depth–a good sign for our nationals run this year for team sweeps.