The JRP Wins Big in Lawton!
The John R. Park Debate Society continued its 2025-2026 competitive season on February 13th-16th, 2026, traveling to Lawton, Oklahoma, to compete at the Sweetheart Swing hosted by Cameron University. Seven University of Utah students competed against a field of ten other schools, including Texas Christian University and West Texas A&M, in a variety of NFA speech events. Members of the debate society placed in all of their events, securing three first-place finishes. Following the competition, the team had the opportunity to explore Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City Bombing memorial, providing a unique opportunity for active learning alongside tournament success.
The team will conclude its regular season competition at the Western States Communication Association's annual tournament hosted by San Diego State University on February 27th - March 2nd!
COMPLETE RESULTS
Overall Awards
2nd place - Overall Sweepstakes
2nd place - Speech Swing Part 1 Sweepstakes
2nd place - Speech Swing Part 2 Sweepstakes
Individual Events Awards Day 1
1st place - Impromptu Speaking - Jeremy Parrish
1st place - Programmed Oral Interpretation - Clara Tyler *top novice
2nd place - Communication Analysis - Samantha Watrin
2nd place - Prose Interpretation - Emily Scott *top novice
3rd place - Extemporaneous Speaking - Samantha Watrin
3rd place - Prose Interpretation - Elliot Tilley
3rd place - Communication Analysis - Jeremy Parrish
3rd place - Persuasive Speaking - Myra Hicks
4th place - Extemporaneous Speaking - Myra Hicks
4th place - After Dinner Speaking - Clara Tyler
4th place - Persuasive Speaking - Emily Scott *top novice
5th place - After Dinner Speaking - Aubrie Powers
5th place - Programmed Oral Interpretation - Elliot Tilley
5th place - Impromptu Speaking - Myra Hicks
6th place - Dramatic Interpretation - Jeremy Parrish
6th place - Extemporaneous Speaking - Aubrie Powers
Individual Events Awards Day 2
1st place - Extemporaneous Speaking - Aubrie Powers
2nd place - After Dinner Speaking - Aubrie Powers
2nd place - Communication Analysis - Samantha Watrin
3rd place - Dramatic Interpretation - Jeremy Parrish
3rd place - Extemporaneous Speaking - Myra Hicks
3rd place - Communication Analysis - Jeremy Parrish
3rd place - Prose Interpretation - Elliot Tilley
3rd place - Programmed Oral Interpretation - Clara Tyler
4th place - Extemporaneous Speaking - Samantha Watrin
4th place - Persuasive Speaking - Myra Hicks
4th place - After Dinner Speaking - Clara Tyler
5th place - Prose Interpretation - Emily Scott
5th place - Programmed Oral Interpretation - Elliot Tilley
5th place - Persuasive Speaking - Emily Scott *top novice
