Coach comments on virtual National Speech and Debate Tournament

Hot Springs County High School recently had a few of their Speech and Debate Team members compete in the virtual National Speech Tournament.

Coach Lyle Wiley said, “This year was a wild one for the Bobcat Speech and Debate team and it culminated with a unique National Tournament after our back-to-back State Championship run.”

Wiley added, “I was able to get some TMS students involved in the asynchronous Middle School competition for the first time at Nationals, which was a good experience. The TMS students all recorded their events and sent them in for competition, where they were judged and given constructive, mostly positive, feedback.”

Wiley stated the asynchronous events for High School competitors worked the same way.

“They were recorded and sent in for judging. The live events took place virtually on a zoom-like platform, much like our whole competitive season which was online this year,” said Wiley 

The recorded events and remote competition were definitely nothing new to the students, who were competing online the whole year and at last year’s state competition and National Tournament.

Wiley added, “Honestly, we were accustomed to this kind of competition and pretty good at it. I would say that the online format extended our opportunities for competition... but the personal element of the competition is impossible to duplicate online. All students are ready and hopeful that we will be able to have in-person competition next year.”  

The National Speech and Debate Association plans to have Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky in person next summer. Wiley said, “Hopefully we will have many students traveling to compete at Nationals next year.” 

Although none of the Bobcat competitors broke into out rounds at Nationals this summer, this year’s 1A/2A State Champion Bobcats made HSCHS history by sending six students to the National Tournament.

Additionally, at the National Tournament, coaches Wiley and Cindy Glasson, were honored with their first Diamond Awards, an award that recognizes longevity and sustained levels of success in coaching.

Wiley also received the Distinguished Service Key Award which goes to coaches who offer outstanding services and leadership in their speech and debate communities.  

Wiley said, “We will have a strong team next year. We will have a base of senior leadership and a number of young students who will be eager for in-person competition and improving their craft over the summer and fall. Our administration at the high school and leadership in the district have been very supportive of our Speech and Debate students, and we are very thankful for the support.” 

Thermopolis Middle School had three students compete across four events in the Middle School National Challenge and three Hot Springs County High School Bobcats compete in seven Asynchronous Rounds of Supplemental Events for the 2020-2021 National Speech and Debate Tournament. 

The TMS Competitors were: Autumn Cornwell - Original Oratory; Autumn Cornwell - Prepared Prompt Speaking; Margo Keller - Informative Speaking; Lucy Wiley - Poetry.The HSCHS Competitors in Asynchronous Events are: Delayni Custer - Original Spoken Word Poetry; Delayni Custer - Storytelling; Elizabeth Keller - Prose; Jean-Luc Willson - Storytelling; Jean-Luc Willson - Prepared Commentary; Jean-Luc Willson - Expository; Jean-Luc Willson - Pro/Con Challenge. 

The following Bobcats competed in live events: Jacob Randall & Jean-Luc Willson - Policy Debate; Josiah Butler - US Extemporaneous Speaking; Elizabeth Keller & Logan Petty - World Schools Debate, their young team went 3-3; Josiah Butler - Extemporaneous Debate.