The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Speech and Debate team concluded another highly successful season with a runner-up finish at the Pi Kappa Delta National Comprehensive Tournament in Lexington, Kentucky. A second place finish in Community College Overall Sweepstakes marks the sixth consecutive year CWI has been one of the top-two community colleges at the event. Fifteen students competed for the College at the tournament, March 16-20.
CWI’s success included capturing the top community college honor for debate, which ranked eighth among all 87 colleges and universities. The College also saw 10 students earn 18 individual awards.
"I can't be more proud of these students,” says CWI’s Assistant Director of Forensics, Jim Gatfield. “Eleven of the fifteen had never competed at a national tournament before this week, so to see this kind of success is truly remarkable."
The most recent accolades for CWI continue a dominating tradition that has captured four national community college championships and a pair of runner-up finishes. The College earned first place in overall sweepstakes in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015. CWI’s other second-place honor came in 2014.
The success at nationals caps another remarkable season for CWI’s Speech and Debate program. The College took home top community college honors at 5 different tournaments, including first-place at the Pi Kappa Delta Regional Tournament of the Great West.