Fort Scott debate squad 1st at Caney Valley

Nov. 10 found 38 Fort Scott debaters in action at two separate tournaments. Most the squad traveled at 5 a.m. to compete at Caney Valley. The Tigers captured 1st place as a squad by earning 10 of the 16 placings awarded. In the varsity division, Fort Scott had the only three undefeated teams (5-0), placing 1st (Kim Henry/Andrew Benage), 2nd (AnnRene Braun/ Brad Parsons), and 3rd (Jacoby Zielinski/Sterling Braun). The Tigers also claimed 6th (Keifer Cruse/Tom Gregory) and 8th (McKale Uttinger/ Andy Reichard) in that division. At the novice level, the squad finished in 2nd (Chris Herman/Kai Simmons 5-0), 3rd (Kaitlyn Torres/ Brooklyn Gillen), 5th (Madison Sheldon/ Tony Jackson), 7th (Jimi Parnell/ Allen Pearson), and 8th (Kutis West/Austin Bailey). The Tigers also had three other teams with winning records who just missed out on medaling.

"I'm not real sure how to comment on a day like today. I am extremely pleased when students are rewarded for their efforts. At this tournament we mixed up partners and had some novice teams step up to the varsity level. We are definitely seeing dividends from the work we put in during the week." Coach Brian Weilert said.

The rest of the squad was competing at a JV affair at Gardner Edgerton.

Here the Tigers finished 4th in sweeps, led by the pairing of Marcus Rodriguez and Keisha Phillips who finished 4-1 in 5th place.

-- Submitted by Brian Weilert