The Missouri Western State University Speech and Debate program finished in the top 16 at a parliamentary debate tournament at the University of Utah on January 8-10.

In preliminary rounds, Mike Smith and Chris Miles, two juniors from Independence, Missouri, finished with a 4-1 record, earning them an 11th rank overall and a spot in the elimination rounds. Smith and Miles debated all the way to the round of 16 where they faced a nationally ranked team from Washburn University and lost on a 2-1 decision. The tournament featured national debate powers like the University of Oregon and Texas Tech University.

“Utah’s winter break tournament is the biggest parliamentary debate tournament outside of nationals,” commented Jason Edgar, Missouri Western’s Director of Speech and Debate, “Chris and Mike placing 11th really solidifies them as a national force to be reckoned with.”

Smith and Miles were also the farthest advancing Missouri team, outpacing William Jewell College and the University of Missouri.

With their impressive showing in Utah, Smith and Miles are now ranked 18th nationally in Parliamentary Debate.

Missouri Western Speech and Debate is an academic activity in the Department of Communication and Journalism at Missouri Western State University. The team is now off until January 28-31 when the travel to St. Louis, Missouri to compete at Webster University. For more information, please contact Jason Edgar at jedgar@missouriwestern.edu.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.