Despite complications due to the Southern California wildfires, Bakersfield College’s debate team won two awards at its first debate tournament of the school year, Oct. 19-21, hosted at Pepperdine University.
The three-day tournament was cut short on the last day. The main road to the university was closed because of the fire.
According to the debate team’s coach, communication instructor Michael Korcok, they were glad to leave while they had the chance. “We understood the Grapevine was fine,” said Korcok. “We saw the Castaic fire on the way home. It wasn’t really that bad. It didn’t interfere with the trip home.”
“We didn’t exactly experience the fire,” said Josiah Haut, a junior varsity debater. “Basically, we woke up and learned there’s no tournament. It was kind of disappointing. You want to watch the final rounds, watch the best teams and see what makes them so good.”
Although they didn’t clear into the final round, Mitch Carpenter won the second speaker award, and Kim Lechtreck won the fifth speaker award.
“It’s practice for the next tournament. We should be able to take what we’ve learned here . and overcome those other teams in the next tournament.”
Last year, the BC debate team won the California State Championship in both the novice and junior varsity divisions.
Korcok said that they have a solid team this year, and that they are excited.
“We have most of that team back, and a couple new folks who are promising,” said Korcok. “They work hard, and they are very talented kids.”
Haut said, “I think it’s good (this year’s team); it’s a little bit larger than last year. We’ve got some new people on the team. Unfortunately, we lost some of the old people. I think we’ve got a good chance of winning some awards this year.”
Their next planned meet will be at Cal State Fullerton Jan. 2-4.
“It’s one of the largest tournaments in California,” said Korcok.
The National Championship competition will begin in April 2009.