November 4, 2004
INFORMATION: John McElwain or John Green, (661) 362-3494 or 3684
There's No Debating COC Forensics Team's Success
SANTA CLARITA Facing teams from UC Berkeley or the University of Wyoming in a head-to-head debate over supporting the World Trade Organization or withdrawing troops from Iraq may seem a bit daunting for most people. But the College of the Canyons Foresnics Team has risen to the challenge, and is surprising some of the nation's top colleges with their talent.
"We have experienced debaters and brand-new members on this year's team," said Dawn Jacobs, Director of the College of the Canyons Forensics team. "But they've meshed as a group and have done phenomenally well so far. They're primed for a great season of debate."
In pre-season competitions in September, last year's Bronze Medalist duo of Drew Ferrandini and Erik Mayer traveled to the Claremont College Invitational and walked away with wins against Colorado State University and South Orange County College. Sara Yohanna and Melody Mayer followed that up when, in their first tournament ever, competed against thirteen Southern California Community and four-year Colleges at the Pacific Southwest Forensics Association Warm-Up Tournament and took home a Certificate of Excellence in the field of Parliamentary Debate.
More recently, the team took the Second Place Sweepstakes Award at the Biola University Debate Tournament held October 23-24. The Sweepstakes Award, which is presented to the college with the most debate wins, was even more impressive considering College of the Canyons sent only a single team, while other colleges entered multiple squads.
"The sky's the limit for this group," said Jacobs.
The College of the Canyons Forensics Team continues the tournament season against California State University, Northridge on November 5-7.
For more information about the COC Forensics Team, please call Dawn Jacobs or COC Communication Studies Chair Victoria Leonard at (661) 362-3441.
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