The Great Bend Panther Debate Squad entered a virtual Varsity, JV, and Novice competition sponsored by Ad Astra Debate.
Great Bend High School was represented by varsity leaders Skylar Fletcher and Isaiah Smith. They won rounds against Haven and Eldorado in the Open division, but fell to Campus and the tournament champions from McPherson. They ended the tournament in 10th place.
Sophomores Katria Kindscher and Adeline Dougherty finished in 7th place in the JV division. They defeated Topka West and Derby while suffering losses to a different Derby team and a McPherson team.
Sophomores Xanna Smith and Raven Pafford Marcum competed in the JV division and were defeated by Osage City, Hoisington, and Derby but were victorious over a different Osage City team.
In their first tournament ever, Angel Palacio and Thomas Henrikson defeated Hutchinson, Wichita Northwest and Holton, but lost to another Holton team, in the Novice division. Their 3-1 record earned them 5th place medals.
Also competing in the Novice division, Olivia Roberson and Alondra Alvarez, who won against Derby and Wichita Northwest but lost to another Derby team and a team from Lansing. Freshman and Sophmore duo, Ryan Armendariz and Dathan Proffitt beat Maize and McPherson but were defeated by Derby and Goddard Eisenhower.
Across the state, schools have been wrestling with the learning curve and technological challenges of hosting online tournaments. Ad Astra Debate lead the way and assisted area coaches with tournaments with the last Saturday being their inaugural event.
Great Bend Debaters will compete at an online tournament co-hosted by Sterling and Lyons High Schools.