Debate Team Successful At Pellissippi
February 28, 2022
Pictured are, front from left: Zach Byrd, Emily Thompson, Tanner Keck and Lexi Rolen.
Rob Pratt, interim dean of the Division of Humanities and debate coach, is in the
second row.
In its first in-person tournament in two years, the Walters State Debate team advanced
to the final round at the fourth annual Tennessee Valley Invitational held at Pellissippi
State Community College on Feb. 26.
The team of sophomores Emily Thompson, an agriculture major from Dandridge, and Zach
Byrd, a theatre arts student from Rutledge, had a impressive 4-1 record before losing
to the host school in the tournament’s final round.
The team of Tanner Keck, a sophomore civil engineering student from Bean Station,
and Lexi Rolen, a freshman teaching major from New Market, were 3-1 in preliminary
competition before facing the eventual champions from Pellissippi State.
Two Walters State competitors were recognized with individual awards. Thompson received
honors as the first-place novice speaker and Keck was honored as fourth-place novice
speaker.
“I’ve been impressed with how hard our debaters have worked to overcome challenges
during the pandemic,” said Rob Pratt, interim dean of the Division of Humanities and
coach of Walters State’s debate team. “Three of our four students who won awards were
competing in their very first debate tournament of any kind, and one had only debated
virtually before this. They’ve long wanted this in-person opportunity, and they made
the most of it.”
When the pandemic began two years ago, collegiate debate tournaments shifted to virtual
competition for safety reasons. Now debate teams are working to bring back traditional
in-person tournaments that give debaters a chance to meet and compete with the best
college and university programs in the state and region.
Walters State will next compete at the Tennessee Intercollegiate Forensic Association’s
annual state tournament on March 26. Debate is open to all interested Walters State
students. No prior debate experience is required.
The Debate Team is open to all majors and no experience is required. Contact Pratt
at Robert.Pratt@ws.edu.
In the photo: The Walters State Debate Team was very successful in its first in-person
tournament since the beginning of the pandemic. Pictured are, front from left: Zach
Byrd, Emily Thompson, Tanner Keck and Lexi Rolen. Rob Pratt, interim dean of the Division
of Humanities and debate coach, is in the second row.