The SOCCCD Speech and Debate Team, consisting of students from Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College, competed at the Phi Rho Pi Community College National Tournament in Portland, Oregon on April 14-19. Among 72 community colleges and 450 students nationwide, the SOCCCD Forensics team battled illness and still took home multiple awards. In the end, the team earned a Bronze Medal in Individual Events Sweepstakes, a Gold Medal in Debate Sweepstakes, and a Silver Medal in Overall Sweepstakes.

The Gold Medal in debate allowed SOC to earn its 2nd national title in debate. Currently SOC is also the National Parliamentary Debate Association National Champions among Community Colleges and is ranked 3rd in the nation among two-year and four-year schools. Their debate showing at Phi Rho Pi placed SOC first over 2nd place El Camino Community College. The Silver Medal in Overall Sweepstakes placed SOC in 3rd place behind 2nd place Southeastern Illinois Community College, and 1st place Mt. San Antonio College. The Bronze Medal award in Individual Events Sweepstakes placed SOC in 6th place behind 1st place, Mt. San Antonio College, 2nd place Southeastern Illinois, 3rd place Glendale Community College, 4th place Moopark College, and 5th place College of DuPage.

On top of the grind of a weeklong tournament, the SOCCCD team had to battle illness. Some students had to lay bed rest due to food poisoning and flu-like symptoms. Despite being ill, Co-Captain Alexander Merton willed himself to continue competing to win 3 gold medals and a bronze medal. Merton commented, "This tournament really showed the heart of our team.combating sickness and adversaries, and never giving up the will to win illustrates the heart of a championship team." Co-Director Edwin Tiongson added, "This team could have easily fell down and quit, but they didn't. The students rose up to the occasion to show what they were capable. I'm so proud of them; they've worked so hard all season long."

Qualifying to attend the national tournament is rigorous a process, yet an honor. The students who attend are selected based upon citizenship as a student and a competitor, quality & quantity of events, and overall desire. Co-Captain Brendan O'Grady added, "It was a fantastic year, and the tournament was fitting reward." Having many students compete throughout the semester, the SOCCCD is a squad the serves the needs of the students. At the core of the team is Co-Director Gary Rybold's Four E's: Ethics, Education, Excellence, and Enjoyment.

The team will be competing in its final tournament of the year, at the PSCFA Cool-Off tournament in San Diego at Grossmont College on April 27-28th.

Individual Results

Alexander Merton: Gold - Impromptu; Bronze - POI
Bill Eddy: Gold - Impromptu; Gold - Extemporaneous
Brendan O'Grady: Gold - Impromptu; Bronze - Extemporaneous
Matt Contreras: Silver - Extemporaneous
Shaun O'Neil: Silver - Extemporaneous; Bronze - Impromptu
Erik Johannes: Bronze - POI; Bronze - Duo w/Throckmorton
Jules Throckmorton: Bronze - Duo w/Johannes
Arielle Robby: Silver - Poetry Alex Logan: Bronze - Drama

Debate Results

Bill Eddy & Alexander Merton - Gold: Parliamentary Debate
Alexander Merton & Matt Contreras - Gold: Policy Debate
Shaun O'Neil & Jules Throckmorton - Bronze: Parliamentary Debate
Matt Contreras - Silver: Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Sweepstakes Results

Silver Medal in Overall Sweepstakes: 3rd Place Open Division
Gold Medal in Debate Sweepstakes: 1st Place Open Division
Bronze Medal in Individual Events Sweepstakes: 6th Place Open Division.