Debate Team Earns State Championship
February 27, 2023
From left are members Cayden Keltgen, Chris Cox and Josh Menza and Coach Robert E.
Pratt, II, debate coach and dean of the college’s Division of Humanities.
The Walters State Debate Team earned a state championship and other awards at the
Tennessee Intercollegiate Forensics Association’s annual state tournament held at
Belmont University in Nashville on Feb. 18.
Chris Cox of Morristown and Cayden Keltgen earned the varsity state championship with
a final round victory over Carson-Newman University. Keltgen also placed second overall
among debate speakers for his speaking skills.
In the novice division, Robert Kurth of Mosheim and Josh Menza of New Tazewell advanced
to semifinals.
“These victories again show that Walters State debaters can compete with the best
college and university programs our state has to offer,” said Robert E. Pratt, II,
who serves as debate coach, associate professor of communication and dean of the Division
of Humanities at Walters State. “We’ve worked harder than ever in a year that began
last fall without a single returning debater with previous experience.”
A former state champion played a key role in helping young debaters grow. Walters
State alumni Jake Muscari, along with Daniel Kish, captured the college’s most recent
debate state title, a novice state championship in 2017. Muscari has volunteered his
time to help the team at practices all year.
The Walters State Debate Team returns to action on Feb. 25 when it travels to Pellissippi
State Community College in Knoxville for the Tennessee Valley Invitational.
In the photo: The Walters State Debate Team earned a state championship and other
awards at the Tennessee Intercollegiate Forensics Association’s annual state tournament.
From left are members Cayden Keltgen, Chris Cox and Josh Menza and Coach Robert E.
Pratt, II, debate coach and dean of the college’s Division of Humanities.