The Hillsdale College Individual Event and Debate Teams traveled to Webster University in St Louis, Missouri, on March 16-17 to compete in the Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament and Convention. Pi Kappa Delta is a speech and debate honorary fraternity that celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. There were over 70 schools in attendance from all over the country including the University of Michigan, Western Kentucky, Chapman, Colorado Baptist, Marshall University, Wiley College, Morehouse College, and Boise State, among others. After three days of competition, the Hillsdale teams were awarded:

5th Place Overall
1st Place Debate Sweepstakes
9th Individual Events Sweepstakes

Our students were very successful as well. An excellent award indicates that the student finished in the top 30% of the event, and a superior award indicates a student who was in the top 10% of an event. Of special note:
Andrew Dykstal, in his last tournament as a competitor, won an award in every event he entered, including two national championships in IPDA debate and Public Forum debate with his partner, Emily Runge.

Chris Landers won a national championship in Discussion.

The Debate Team has won the National Tournament and Convention for the third time in a row, an accomplishment that has never been done at the Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament and Convention.

Student awards:
Senior Andrew Dykstal: Excellent in Communication Analysis, Excellent in Extemporaneous Speaking, Excellent in Broadcast Journalism, Superior in Impromptu, Superior in Persuasion, Excellent in IPDA, National Championship in IPDA, Superior in Public Forum, and National Championship in Public Forum with Emily Runge.

Ian Fury: Excellent in Extemporaneous Speaking, Excellent in Impromptu, Superior in Novice IPDA, and Semifinalist in IPDA.

Chris Landers: National Champion in Discussion.

Josh Andrews: Excellent in Broadcast Journalism, Superior in Persuasive Speaking.

Andrew Montgomery: Excellent in Impromptu.

Dylan Hoover: Excellent in Discussion.

Brandon Butz: Third Place in After-Dinner Speaking.

Lauren Holt: Excellent in NPDA and Quarterfinals in NPDA with Ian Hanchett, Superior in LD, and quarterfinals in LD.

Anna Seiple: Second place in Novice IPDA, and Superior in IPDA.

Brianna Hearn: Superior and Semifinals in Junior LD, Excellent in Novice NPDA with Kevin Ambrose.

Total number of awards: 28
Total number of top 10% awards: 11
Total number of National Championships: 4 (1 Team and 3 individual)

The Individual Events Team completes a very successful year, while the Debate Team travels to Marshall University for the NFA LD National Championships in April.