Howlin' Yotes finish third at National Championships
2009. 03. 27.
CALDWELL –The College of Idaho's speech and debate team, The Howlin' Yotes, finished its most successful season ever last weekend, claiming six national championships and finishing third overall at the Pi Kappa Delta National Speech & Debate Championship Tournament in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The four-day tournament was attended by nearly 70 schools from across the country and was the largest collegiate speech and debate tournament in the United States this year. Ohio University took first place overall with a score of 244, followed by Boise State University (226), and the Yotes (206). Defending national champions Southwest Baptist University came in fourth with 192.
BSU and The C of I have a long history of competition and are archrivals when it comes to speech and debate, said Yotes coach Mack Sermon.
"The Treasure Valley has had two of the top speech and debate teams in the country for a decade," Sermon said. "We can't compete with their athletic teams, but we are fierce competitors in this arena. It's a wonderful David and Goliath story."
Senior Captain Jesse Holmes of Boise and freshman Rachel Trompke of Eagle had a double win as they tied for the national championship in junior parliamentary debate. They entered elimination rounds and defeated Hillsdale College in the final debate to claim first place.
The Howlin' Yotes proudly dedicate their 2008-2009 championship season to outgoing President Bob Hoover, who will retire in June.
"Bob Hoover has been extremely supportive of our team and our students, which has helped us achieve this success," Sermon said.
- Jesse Holmes
- Rachel Trompke
- Kristopher Cruz
- Luke Floyd
- Emilie McDonagh
- Casey Mattoon
- Casey Mattoon
National Champions in Duo Interpretive Reading
- Skylar Hall
- Kristopher Cruz
National Champion in Poetry Interpretive Reading
- Emilie McDonagh