The Manhattan High debate team had one of its most successful tournaments of the season so far at the Topeka HIgh tournament against skilled competitors. 

Junior Sam DeLong and sophomore Annabelle Jung placed second overall, going 8-2. The pair competed for three days. DeLong was recognized as the seventh best individual competitor in the Varsity division.

“It was our best performance in elimination rounds yet this season,” DeLong said.

Junior Carissa Brandt and sophomore Katelyn Purdom placed fifth overall in the Novice division, going 3-1. Freshman Eli Kunz and sophomore Camila Gomez placed eighth, going 3-1. Juniors Alex Wang and Max Bowyer went 3-1. Wang was recognized as the seventh best speaker overall. Juniors Olivia Fateley and Tristan Metivier went 1-3. Sophomores Kaitlyn McMackin and Alayna Clark went 1-3.

Sophomore Ianni Morales-Diaz and freshman Helinna Bontrager placed first, going 4-0, in the Novice division. The pair was surprised to learn that they were able to place at the Topeka High tournament, as the tournament is highly competitive.

“We thought we were going to place, we just didn’t think we’d get first place,” Morales-Diaz said.

Senior Crysteen Brown and junior Megan Long placed eighth in the Open division, going 6-2. Long was recognized as the 10th best individual competitor in the division. 

“I didn’t have many expectations for this tournament because it’s [the most] competitive tournament, possibly this season, definitely for us,” Long said.

The tournament was the most competitive tournament the team competed in.

“Topeka High is typically the single most competitive Kansas tournament of the entire year,” head coach Mac Phrommany said.

Debate will meet next at the Maize tournament in the beginning of December.