SFCC’s Speech & Debate Team Succeed in Sunshine State Series

State Fair Community College’s speech and debate team earned the second-place Debate Sweepstakes award at the University of Central Florida’s Sunshine Series virtual tournament held Nov. 10 - 11.

The SFCC team competed against 15 four-year university and two-year college teams from across the country.

In his final appearance as a Roadrunner, sophomore Joshua Kofahl of Jefferson City was named the Open Division Debate Champion and first place speaker in Extemporaneous Speaking at the Sunshine State Series Part 2.

Kofahl competed in International Public Debate Association (IPDA) style debate, which is a one-on-one limited preparation format in which students are given a new topic each round and have 30 minutes to prepare their case. Kofahl and Tyson Page, of Camdenton, competed in the open division for experienced debaters. There were 16 students in the open division. Kofahl went undefeated in debate, which included four preliminary rounds and three out rounds.

“Although this was an online tournament, I met so many kind people and competed against schools I never would have if we went to an in-person tournament,” Kofahl said.

Roadrunner Molly Pritchard of Robertsville advanced to the semifinals in novice IPDA in her second tournament appearance, making her a top four finalist. Pritchard received the sixth-place speaker award in IPDA.

“We are all so proud of what Molly accomplished,” said Coach Sarah Nail, SFCC communication instructor. “In her first tournament, she went 0-4. She came back into this tournament and saw success in a competitive division with 32 debaters, which is just amazing. Molly is brilliant, and I think she has made the most of the opportunity to learn from both Ty and Josh.”

Page had a record of 2-2, dropping two very close rounds. His performance also contributed to the team’s second-place finish.

Kofahl and Page were joined by sophomore Lucas Culbertson of Edwards during individual event competition. Kofahl and Culbertson competed in Extemporaneous Speaking, where Kofahl advanced to the finals and took the first-place finish. This was the first time in Kofahl’s collegiate career where he finished first in an individual event.

Kofahl also advanced to finals in Informative Speaking and finished in fifth-place. Page earned a second-place finish in Communication Analysis. Kofahl also competed in Impromptu Speaking at the tournament.

Kofahl, a charter member of the SFCC speech and debate team, will graduate from SFCC in December and plans to attend the University of Central Missouri where he will continue competing in speech and debate.

“It was bittersweet,” Nail said. “I’m happy we were able to see success in Josh’s last tournament as a Roadrunner. We will miss his leadership on the team next semester, but I wish him the best.”

The speech and debate team is open to all SFCC students. Those who want to learn more are encouraged to contact Nail at snail1@sfccmo.edu.

In the photo:  State Fair Community College’s speech and debate teammates (left to right) Joshua Kofahl, Molly Pritchard and Tyson Page earned the second place Debate Sweepstakes award at the University of Central Florida’s Sunshine Series virtual tournament. Kofahl was the Tournament Champion in International Public Debate Association (IPDA) style debate, second place IPDA speaker and first-place in Extemporaneous Speaking. Pritchard was a semi-finalist in novice IPDA and the sixth-place novice speaker. Page earned second-place recognition in Communication Analysis. (Not pictured, Lucas Culbertson who competed in Extemporaneous Speaking.)