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John R. Park Debate Society Secures a Top Ten Finish at NPDA Nationals

The John R. Park Debate Society hosted and competed in the National Parliamentary Debate Association Championship Tournament March 14-17 at the University of Utah. After a five-year hiatus from the tournament, JRP competitors returned in force, placing 4th in the nation in season-long sweepstakes, outperforming the University of California at Berkeley, the University of California San Diego, the University of Texas at Tyler, San Diego State University, and Concordia University, among all other ranked colleges and universities competing in NPDA debate. Senior Meredith Jenkins was named All-American, an honor that requires a GPA of 3.5 or higher, competitive success, and demonstrated service to the debate community. Additionally, first-year students Sage Allred and Brinley Kemp secured a third-place finish in the novice division of the tournament. With these placings, the University of Utah is the only team in the nation to secure a top-ten finish in the season-long sweepstakes and the NPDA tournament in each of the last six national tournaments they have attended. The team will conclude their season at the NFA national tournament in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan on April 18-22.

COMPLETE RESULTS

Overall Awards

4th Place - Season Long Sweeps - University of Utah
7th Place - Tournament Sweeps - University of Utah

 

Debate Awards

NPDA All American - Meredith Jenkins
Octafinalists - Meredith Jenkins and Samantha Watrin
Novice Semifinals - Sage Allred and Brinley Kemp
 
7th Place Speaker - Samantha Watrin
15th Place Speaker - Meredith Jenkins
6th Place Novice Speaker - Izzy Chick
7th Place Novice Speaker - Sophia Smith
8th Place Novice Speaker - Brinley Kemp
10th Place Novice Speaker - Sage Allred
Last Updated: 3/18/24