By Conor Hustedde and Benjamin Kirk
Melissa Tejeda and Hannah Chand stood at the front of a tense room, awaiting their results. Not only had they traveled to San Bruno, but it was the last competition of the year. For Tejeda, a graduating senior, it was also her last opportunity to win first place as a Barking Bulldog. It came down to the final round of the duo interpretation and dramatic interpretation performance at the Northern California Forensics Association “Spring Fling” at Skyline College. Making it to the final round was an accomplishment in itself, as the competition combined two categories leading to far more competitors than anticipated.
Similar to a reality show, the finalist rankings are announced in descending order. As each duo team gets called, they receive their award and return to their seats.
“You have that moment. They are calling the names for fifth place and fourth place,” said Chand.
When they reached third place, Chand and Tejeda looked at each other, surprised that only three teams were left. Tejeda’s gaze then looked towards the audience, where her eyes connected with her coach Natalie Meany Cavallero, who gave a knowing look.
“They called third place, and it’s not them. At that moment, I know they’ve won,” said Cavallero.
With two teams left, they called the other team’s name. For Chand and Tejeda, it took a moment for the realization to set in.
“We were the only ones standing up there. I just remember looking at [Tejeda] and being like, ‘Oh my gosh! We got first place,’” said Chand.
For Cavallero, who took over the coaching position just after the pandemic set in, it was a huge victory that capped the team’s first semester back competing face-to-face. The win brought a rush of pride and emotion.
“Duo was my specialty back in the day. It’s really special to me, really close to my heart. So to watch those two win was super special,” said Cavallero.
After a long hiatus due to COVID, the Barking Bulldogs Speech and Debate Team has been unleashed again this semester, competing in their first in-person debates in three years.
“Forensics is the kind of event that is really so much better in an in-person context. There were tournaments on Zoom during the COVID hiatus, but it’s not the same thing when everyone is remote because so much of speech and debate is the presence and being there. During a lot of the preparations for debate, you really need everyone in the same room, and you just don’t get that same experience when you have to do it remotely,” said Professor Douglas Fraleigh, Barking Bulldogs coach.
Their season started at the NorCal Forensics Championships at Diablo Valley College in February, where Fresno State took home third place in the school sweepstakes. The event highlighted competitors William Setser, Tedejo and Chand, who took home third place in Poetry Interpretation.
“We are so proud of their work and dedication,” said Cavallero.
In March, the team had another amazing showing at the Hornet Cup at Sacramento State. Rhiannon Genilla was named the top speaker for the International Public Debate Association (IPDA) format debate and was awarded second place after advancing to the silver medal round. Tejeda and Chand won second place in duo interpretation, and Chand also took home 3rd place in poetry interpretation.
In addition to the first place in the duo competition at the April “Spring Fling,” Chand and Greg Valencia were both undefeated in the IPDA (one-on-one). Chand finished as the second speaker in the division, and Valencia was fourth.
Will Setser placed third in extemporaneous speaking, and Jackson Simons placed third in impromptu speaking. Simons and Noah Grove competed in the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) format debate (two on two) and got their first win in competition.
“The debate awards were a real Barking Bulldogs team effort. All team members, whether they are entered in debate or not, and all three coaches work together during a thirty minute frenzy after the topic is announced, in order to help their debaters get ready to compete,” said Fraleigh. “In some debates, they had three debaters with three different topics, and the outstanding participation of every Barking Bulldog was central to their success. Ruff Ruff!!”
In addition to the student awards, Cavallero was nominated for the outstanding new coach award, and Coach Arley Rodriguez was nominated for the outstanding student coach award.
“The success of the team and the great chemistry that the team has developed shows how these nominations were most warranted!” said Fraleigh. “The team had an amazing experience working and traveling with such great successes. It has been great to return to in-person tournaments this semester and see the Barking Bulldogs shine in competition.”
Prof. Douglas Fraleigh and Natalie Meaney Cavallero contributed to this story.
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 