Saddleback’s Speech and Debate Team Excels at 2013 Watson-Lancer Invitational Tournament

Saddleback Speech and Debate students are enthusiastic about their most recent tournament at Pasadena City College

-Saddleback College competed at the 2013 Watson-Lancer Invitational Tournament hosted by Pasadena City College on October 26^th – 27^th. Approximately 30 colleges and universities including Azusa Pacific, Chapman University, and three CSU schools were in attendance.

With only a quarter of the team’s students competing, Saddleback placed 6th overall with a total of 29 points. First place was awarded to Moorpark College with 88 total points. Saddleback College beat out Chapman University and made several colleges take notice.

Led by team Co-Captain Dennis Meador, Saddleback planted itself in the speech community as a viable contender to win a championship.

Saddleback’s new debate coach, Shawn O’Rourke, guided the Saddleback Debaters to a historic weekend. Coach O’Rourke stated,” I’m very excited for the students. I look forward to future success here at Saddleback.” While, Shawn was guiding the new debaters into competition, Individual Event Coaches, Larry Radden, Heidi Ochoa, and Lucas Ochoa helped the speech team advance to several final rounds. Coach Lucas Ochoa said, “I’m thrilled to be working with Shawn. His professionalism and overall dedication to students is remarkable. I have no doubt that with Shawn’s expertise in Debate, we will do great things.”

The added element of Debate ensures that Saddleback College will be a competitive force in the region of Southern California and at the National Level. Co-Director of Forensics, Heidi Ochoa said, “The coaching staff couldn’t be more excited about our team’s potential this year. This is the first tournament that Saddleback has demonstrated to the CA region that we are equally competitive in all speech genres.

With our newest coaches, full-time faculty, Shawn O’Rourke and part-time faculty, Adam Navarro, we are deepening our students’ knowledge of competitive speaking at a much faster rate than ever before. We expect that we will give our rivals a run for their money this year.” Finally, Co-Director Larry Radden stated, “We have four amazing coaches for our team and also wonderful students. We have seen great results due to the fact that everyone is working synergistically.”

The results are: 

1st Place: After Dinner Speaking- Dennis Meador 
2nd Place: Programmed Oral Interpretation- Dennis Meador 
2nd Place: After Dinner Speaking- Melissa Armstrong 
Finalist: Novice Persuasion- Alex Sherwood 
Finalist: Novice Informative- Shawn Walker Mendez 
Finalist: Impromptu Speaking- Bailey Prince 
Silver Medals: Novice Debate- Bailey Prince and Tyler Kline 
Bronze Medals: Open Debate- Ken Caradang and Mitchell Carter

The Saddleback Forensics Team started in the 1970s and prides itself on offering students the ability to create innovative arguments for future writing and speaking engagements to strengthen their critical thinking skills and to better communicate with others. On the forensics team, students write, rehearse, and perform at 6-7 tournaments against students from Universities and Community Colleges to qualify for the national tournament.

The students representing Saddleback at the national tournament have placed above several competitors representing institutions throughout the year, including: Concordia University, Point Loma, California State University, Los Angeles, California State University, Long Beach, and UCLA.

Located in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College provides quality higher education and training to the greater south Orange County community.  Having served more than 500,000 students since 1968, Saddleback College offers over 300 degree and certificate programs to help students reach their personal, career, and educational goals.  For more information, please visit www.saddleback.edu and for Fine Arts information, please visit www.saddleback.edu/arts.