In a recent tournament at Olathe North on Saturday, Oct. 9, the debate team finished in second place out of 22 teams, placing over such schools as Blue Valley West and St. Thomas Aquinas.

Senior Ross Platt is confident about his team’s skills.

“We have some good speakers, we are very good at fast thinking and critical arguments,” Platt said.

Debate coach Jeanette Hardesty echoed Platt’s comments.

“I have to give credit to the kids,” Hardesty said. “Students are practicing hard and cooperating with each other.”

Although debate is scored as a school, several individual teams have contributed to the program’s tournament successes. The duo of Josh Duden and Hanna Torline contributed by taking first place in a meet at St. James Academy on Saturday, Sept. 18.

Next up for the team is a tournament at Blue Valley on Saturday, Nov. 5, followed by the final tournament on Saturday, Nov. 20 at Basehor-Linwood.