The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Speech and Debate Team continued its record-setting season in speech competitions. The Speech Team finished 2nd at the American Forensic Association’s National Speech Tournament, which took place April 5-7th on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The tournament was won by the University of Texas at Austin.
UNL qualified 19 students to the National Speech Tournament where they competed against 58 universities and colleges across the country. There are eleven events in college speech ranging from public speaking events like informative and persuasive speaking to limited preparation events like extemporaneous and impromptu speaking to interpretation events like poetry and prose interpretation. UNL qualified 66 events, the maximum to the national tournament. Only the top quarter of events move on the elimination rounds. UNL lead the nation advancing 37 events to elimination rounds. The team’s previous record was 19, which was accomplished in 2022 and 2024. Only the top 6 performers in each event make it to the final round of the tournament. UNL advanced 6 students in 8 events to the final round of the tournament, both records. Senior David Swotek of Malcom finished 5th in poetry interpretation and 6th in duo interpretation with fellow senior Marcus Cureton of Lexington. Senior Kayli Pham of Omaha finished 4th in extemporaneous and impromptu speaking. Junior Sydney Kwasa of Omaha finished 5th in dramatic interpretation and 3rd in duo interpretation with sophomore Tamyia Bender of Omaha. Bender also finished 3rd in poetry interpretation. First-year student Kilee Wilkinson finished 4th in program oral interpretation.
Four UNL students also placed in the top 20 in the nation in the all-around individual sweepstakes category. In addition to Swotek 7th, Kwasa 8th, and Pham 9th, junior Reed Greger of Plattsmouth 15th place. UNL was also selected to the National All-American Team. Only 10 students in the nation achieved All-American status this year. Prior to this year, UNL’s best finish at the National Speech Tournament was 5th in 2002.
Director of Speech and Debate Coach Aaron Duncan was honored at the tournament’s opening ceremony for this attendance at his 25th National Speech Tournament. Duncan has served as the Director of Speech & Debate since 2005.
He stated, “This tournament was the highlight of my coaching career. Not merely because out students won the most awards in school history but because of who they are as people and the messages they sought to share.”
The speech team was led to success by Duncan; Allison Bonander, Director of Speech; Assistant Directors Cassidy Emmerich and Isa Scaturro; and Assistant Coaches Daniel Wheaton, and Brendan Kachnowski.
Bonander noted, “This team is the embodiment of years of hard work, dedication, and true grit. I could not be prouder of how they performed in and out of competition - they are powerhouse performers using their voices to make impactful changes in the world. It's a joy to work with the brightest, most compassionate students on campus.” Bonander an alum of the team (class of 2010) reflected on the experience noting, “Breaking our team records was thrilling for all of us. Watching the team get the chance to showcase their talents, their messages, and their hard work on a national stage was something I'll cherish for a long time.”
Duncan concluded, “It has been my great pleasure to coach at UNL for the last 20 years. UNL is an institution that celebrates critical thinking, debate, discussion, and dialogue. We are grateful for the unwavering support of the Department of Communication Studies, the College of Arts and Sciences, alumni, and the Chancellor’s Office.”
Next up for the UNL Speech and Debate Team is the National Tournament for Lincoln Douglas Debate on April 16th-21st held on the campus of Wayne State University, Detroit Michigan. UNL won the national championship in Lincoln Douglas Debate in 2022 and 2023 and finished 4th at the tournament last year. UNL Speech and Debate is the oldest student activity on campus having been founded in 1871.
The Speech and Debate team is part of Department of Communication Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. The department explores human communication as it shapes and is shaped by relationships, institutions, and societies. Its main areas of expertise are interpersonal and family communication, organizational communication, and rhetoric and public culture. More information about the Speech and Debate Team is available online.
