HPU’s SSB speech and debate team earned debate sweepstakes at the Texas TIFA Spring Championship. The team members are pictured from left to right: Landon Chenault, Dr. Julie Welker, Katelyn Sims, Adrielle Sloan, Cora Raub and Matthew Campos.

Howard Payne University’s Student Speaker Bureau speech and debate team clinched the debate sweepstakes at the Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association (TIFA) Spring Championship, held at Texas State University.

Senior Landon Chenault, Guy D. Newman Honors Academy and jurisprudence major from Denton, won the IPDA (International Public Debate Association) championship and was the top debate speaker at the tournament.

Sophomore Katelyn Sims, Guy D. Newman Honors Academy and global studies major from Cleburne, was an advancing quarterfinalist and third place IPDA speaker.

Both Chenault and Sims had perfect prelims records, and Chenault finished the tournament undefeated.

Dr. Julie Welker, professor of communication and chair of the Department of Communication, coaches the team.

“Landon is our team captain and the only senior on the team, so this was a gratifying win for him,” said Welker. “He dominated at the tournament, and I am so proud of this accomplishment for him. Landon puts a lot of effort into coaching the team as well, and the team’s overall performance reflects his leadership.”

HPU had four of the top nine IPDA debate speakers. In addition to Chenault and Sims, sophomore Cora Raub, Guy D. Newman Honors Academy and nursing major from Celina, was named fourth-place speaker, and sophomore Adrielle Sloan, Guy D. Newman Honors Academy and strategic communication major from Blue Oak, was the ninth-place speaker.

“These strong appearances by our small team show the depth of our team, and the excellent debating skills these students are developing,” added Welker.

Additionally, Chenault was named to the prestigious Texas All-State Forensics Squad. Chenault was one of four seniors state-wide named to the squad. He has competed on the HPU speech and debate team for three years, winning multiple honors in both individual speaking and debate at the state and national level.

Chenault said he was honored to receive such an award.

“This competition was a stellar start to this semester, and being named to the Texas All-State Forensics Squad was a nice culmination of my years of competing at TIFA,” said Chenault.

Also competing in the tournament was senior Matthew Campos, criminal justice major from Synder.

HPU competed against 12 colleges and universities from Texas and Louisiana, and was the only Texas Baptist university to compete at the tournament.

The team will compete in a large online tournament this weekend, followed by a trip to the IPDA national tournament, held at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi.

“The IPDA national tournament is a large tournament, and we are looking forward to competing against some very good colleges and universities there,” said Welker. “We will be spending all our class time prepping for this highly competitive tournament.”

To support HPU’s Student Speaker Bureau with funds to help with travel expenses and other related needs, please visit www.hputx.edu/give, click on “Start My Gift to HPU Here.” Under the heading “Initiatives to Support,” select “Student Speaker Bureau” from the list and the donation form can then be completed accordingly.

High school students interested in pursuing their undergraduate education at HPU and competing on the team should contact Welker at [email protected]. All potential team members must audition. Scholarships are available and are given based on previous speech and debate accomplishments.