RIVERSIDE (April 10, 2013)--California Baptist University's speech and debate team is ranked 14th in the nation and 5th in the western U.S. region following the Pi Kappa Delta National Convention and Tournament.

"This is the best CBU has ever done in national-level competition," said Michael Marse, assistant professor of communication arts and coach of the speech and debate team. "With some of the best competitors returning for the 2013-14 (academic year), we stand a great chance at having an even greater season next year."

The competition involved three sweepstakes awards. In the debate events sweepstakes, CBU's team received 21st out of 86 schools. In the speech events sweepstakes, the team was awarded 19th out of the 86 schools. 

While many schools specialize in one or the other, CBU's team received 14th overall by participating in both sweepstakes.

The team competed against schools such as Boise State University, William Carey University and Southwest Baptist University. 

Matt Phillips, sophomore political science major, was named superior in extemporaneous speaking, superior in group discussion, superior in broadcast journalism, excellent and a quarterfinalist in the Lincoln and Douglas debate.

Adriena Young, freshman communication studies major, received a superior in prose interpretation, two excellent awards in duo interpretation and was chosen to be part of the prose interpretation showcase that demonstrates the top performances in the nation.

Ashley Hawley, senior communication studies major, received an excellent in impromptu speaking and an excellent in group discussion. 

Chris Jamison, senior communication studies major, received a superior in group discussion.

Brianna Nelson, senior communication studies and public relations double major, was awarded excellent in duo interpretation.

Arturo Cabrera, junior communication studies major, received an excellent in duo interpretation and an excellent in dramatic interpretation.

David Tibbitts, senior political science and communication studies major, was awarded a superior in persuasive speaking, an excellent in informative speaking, an excellent in communication analysis, an excellent in group discussion and was chosen to perform in the persuasive speaking showcase.

The Pi Kappa Delta event, the nation's largest speech and debate tournament, was held March 13-16 at Webster University in St. Louis, Mo., with national rankings released in early April.

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