Splitting up Oct. 9 and 10, the Manhattan High School Debate team traveled to Wichita East and Blue Valley to attempt to qualify for State.

At Wichita East, the team of senior Nathan McClendon and sophomore Lily Colburn scored 3-2 wins to losses while juniors Robin Joung and Sean McGimpsey got 2-3 wins to losses. In addition to the two placing teams at East, sophomore Douglas Kim and senior Sterling Edgar gained 3-2 wins to losses at Silver Lake, receiving their first winning record of the year.

“I think, score wise … I won fewer rounds, but I think I was also up against more challenging teams,” Edgar said. “So I would consider myself as having done better, even though I had won fewer rounds.”

On the 16 and 17, Varsity teams went to Junction City High School, where Amaya Fisher and Nick Paukstelis received seventh place. In finality, Novice debaters left to Washburn Rural last week to compete, getting more winning than losing records.

“I love Washburn due to the fact that they have experienced kids judging the Novices,” coach Ben Sutherland said. “It’s a great learning opportunity and allows them to understand what a judge is looking for.”