April 23, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 23, 2003
IVC Squad Ranked #1 in US
SOCCCD repeats as national champ in
best-ever season.
IRVINE, CAThe Speech and Debate team of the South Orange County
Community College District was named the 2003 Community College
National Champion by the National Parliamentary Debate Association
in ceremonies held March 30 at the NPDA National Tournament in
Portland, OR. The SOCCCD team scored 86 points during the year-long
competition, surpassing last years record of 83. The team, which is
made up of students and coaches from Irvine Valley College and
Saddleback College, also took home the community college sweepstakes
award, ranking 12th out of the 96 schools that competed at the event
hosted by Portland State University. Additionally, SOCCCD took third
place in the Overall Category, placing behind only Pt. Loma Nazarene
University and Truman State University, both four-year colleges.
It was the best year we have ever had in debate, said Gary
Rybold, Co-Director of Forensics at Irvine Valley College. We have
taken points at all levels, from novice to open. I am very proud of
the team. In the community college standings, the SOCCCD team edged
out Portland Community College (2), College of Eastern Utah (3), and
Southland rival Cypress College (4). In the national standings, the
squad once again ranked ahead perennial powerhouses California State
University, Long Beach; the US Air Force Academy, and the University
of California, Berkeley.
IVC Coach Rybold added that the entire coaching staff worked hard
with the team to prepare the students for the competition. This is
a testament of what can happen when students are motivated to work
hard and pay the price for victory, he said.
Debaters of the SOCCCD team: Brendan OGrady, Matt Contreras,
Kirstin Apodaca, Erik Johannes, Nicolette Ward, Shaun ONeal, Nick
Keith, Ken Tran, Sasson Darian, Brittany Poulton, Ryan Jaleh, Laura
Perez, Dana Pizzi, Ernest Cunanan, Alexander Merton, Bill Eddy, Jay
Arnston, Brian Leslie, Dylan Hendrickson, Jules Throckmorton, Dave
Megara, Jeff Bennett, Jimmy McTeigue, Noah Drew, Mark Daily, Heather
Hamilton, Caylee Rogers, Lee Wei.
Coaches of the SOCCCD team: Nise Frye, Apryl Nite, Bill
Neesen, Eddie Tiongson, Gary Rybold, Larry Radden, Michelle McCravey.