FSHS debaters excel at state

The Fort Scott High School debate squad displays the runner-up trophy they earned at the state debate tournament in Garden City the weekend of Jan. 19. This is the second year in a row that the Fort Scott debaters have enjoyed such success. Submitted photo

The KSHSAA debate season came to an end with the state tournament in Garden City the weekend before last.

The Tigers continued to have the same success they enjoyed all year as the four-speaker team of AnnRene Braun, Kim Stone, Sterling Braun and Jacoby Zielinski compiled a 10-4 record, which finished them in second place.

This is the second year in a row that Fort Scott has ended as the state runner-up.

Brittney Doherty and Brad Parsons show the medals they won as a two-person debate team. Submitted photo

The squad was also represented well on the two-speaker side as the pairing of Brad Parsons and Brittney Doherty pushed into quarterfinals with a 4-2 record before falling to the eventual state champions. Kim Henry and her partner Andrew Benage also debated well (4-2), but came up one speaker point shy of making it to out-rounds. The two other teams competing for the Tigers were Keifer Cruse and Angel West (3-3), and Thomas Gregory and Kandyce Beerbower (2-4). This marks the first time the debate team has placed in both divisions in the same year.