September 23, 2026
After nearly a century without an intercollegiate debate program, Hampden-Sydney returned to the circuit on September 19–20, marking the Tiger Debate Team’s first appearance since 1932. Not content with merely showing up, H-SC made its return in winning fashion.
Competing in the virtual Washburn University Warm-Up, the Tigers faced stiff competition from powerhouses including Texas Tech University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Illinois State University, and Illinois College.
Freshmen Shawn Gerstman ’30 and Soren McKay ’30 finished with winning records, defeating the aforementioned schools, with Soren receiving the top speaker award at the tournament. The top speaker distinction recognizes the debater with the highest points awarded by judges across all six preliminary rounds, noting skilled speaking and argumentation. This marks Hampden-Sydney’s first competitive speech and debate award in its 252-year history.
Landon Ostermann ’27, Luke Sah ’30, John Cale Allen ’30, Cooper James ’30, Reese Cook ’30, Jack Kozlowski ’30, Gabe Jones ’29, and Quinn Roderick ’30 rounded out the team.
“I am excited to see our guys, who have never competed in debate before, so excited and hungry to learn,” says Assistant Professor of Rhetoric Matt Parnell, who coaches the debate team. “I anticipate this being a great inaugural season for Tiger Debate.”
Other competing universities included Marshall University, Missouri Valley College, Purdue University, University of Pittsburgh, Truman State University, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and Washburn University.
“I am extremely proud of our students, who rigorously prepared against some of the top schools in the nation,” says Visiting Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and the team’s associate director Sarah Dweik. “I believe that our team will remain competitive within the circuit.”
The team’s next competition, a virtual event hosted by Missouri Valley University, is on October 24 – 25.