Off the Field: Speech & Debate Success

We’ll step Off the Field to take a closer look at some of the Republic students who are competing in non-sports activities. Our report is brought to you by State Farm Agent Sarah Rader. Talk to her about how you can save money by combining your home and auto insurance.Mid-season is a time when a lot of coaches spend time evaluating their team’s progress and gearing up for the stretch run. That’s true off the field, as well — just ask Republic High School speech and debate coach Sarah Petroff. As she looks back on the first half of the year, she says she has seen increased participation and success at tournaments this year, compared to previous seasons.

“The team as a whole is making clear and strong improvements this year in participation and success,” Petroff says. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the huge numbers of students we’re taking to tournaments. We have 33 competing , and I think that’s the biggest number in my coaching history. That has more to do with pride that more kids are trying speech and debate than my concern for winning, but it makes me happy to not roll out on a bus with 10 kids like I was doing last year.”

As with any team, some performers stand out, and the RHS speech squad is no exception. Victoria Ogbeifun and Makenzie Tyson are two returning members of the team who have “dominated” their events in 2017-18, according to Petroff.

Ogbeifun has had success in Lincoln Douglas debate, and recently took home a trophy in Public Forum debate. “She’s a tri-lingual, rockstar sophomore that is the proud and fearless captain of the team,” Petroff says.

Makenzie Tyson has built on her success in Informative Speaking. (She qualified for nationals last year.)

“This was a launching point for her as she directed her focus and energy towards making herself the best at Informative that she could be,” Petroff says. “This was clear when she took home first place at the first tournament of the year, and has taken a trophy home each tournament.”

Novice Garrett Silvey has placed as several tournaments in Informative Speaking, building on his success as a member of the Republic Middle School team last year. He came close to a quarterfinal appearance at a varsity tournament in December.

Petroff says Ogbeifun, Tyson, and Silvey share some traits that make them successful.

“These three have had great success through their natural talent but mostly hard work and perseverance. They are always asking, ‘How can I do better?’ and making sure they follow through with the answer,” she says.

Petroff also points to novice Angel Lombardo, whom she officially judged as “not…a typical speech and debate kid.” But Lombardo has stepped up with a strong oratory, winning a second-place trophy at her first tournament. She’s also competing in debate.

With seven tournaments in January and February, Petroff says national qualifiers will begin to stand out as the end of the season approaches.

“I will feel like I blinked and State and National qualifiers will be here. I am excited to see how many more trophies we can get and see some of my sleepers shock and surprise the team with what they’ve learned this year,” Petroff says.

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