Debate Society Dominates in LA!

University of Utah’s John R. Park Debate Society traveled to California State University, Northridge in November to compete in a variety of forensics events on November 7th-9th, 2025. Competition was rigorous between 26 schools and 196 entries in our events. After 4 days of speaking, debating, and late nights of research and writing in between, the University of Utah took 2nd place in overall sweepstakes. Meaning, when all the points were totaled across all events, our squad was the runner-up for the most successful 4-year program in attendance. We are especially proud of holding nearly half of the slots in the Extemporaneous speaking final round, and winning several events right including: Communication Analysis, Program Oral Interpretation, JV Policy Debate, and Dramatic Interpretation. 

Below are the individual placements of our team. 

 

Individual Events

1st- Communication Analysis - Jeremy Parrish 

1st- Dramatic Interpretation - Jeremy Parrish

1st- Programmed Oral Interpretation - Clara Tyler

2nd- Extemporaneous Speaking - Aubrie Powers

3rd- Prose Interpretation - Elliot Tilley

3rd- Extemporaneous Speaking - Myra Hicks 

4th- Persuasive Speaking - Maria Manousakis

7th place - Extemporaneous Speaking - Maria Manousakis

 

Policy Debate

1st place - JV Division - Benji Verbeck- O'Brien & Aidan Brewer

 

Sweepstakes 

2nd- Overall Sweepstakes