Sixteen students competed for the Fresno State Barking Bulldogs Speech and Debate Team at the Nicholas Burnett Hornet Classic at CSU Sacramento, March 22-24.
Newly elected ASI president Faith Van Hoven was one of six debaters selected by the tournament for the President’s Cup Round Robin! She debated against the top debater from the other five colleges and was right up there with the best at the tournament, compiling a five-and-five record.
In debate, Bianca Mendez Ochoa and Greg Valencia won gold medals, and Lucia Herrera, Ed Ledezma Moncada and Grant Meyers won bronze medals. Brandon Fan, Matthew Frasier, Marissa Williams and Sean Baize also competed and won debates.
“Special congratulations to Brandon and Matthew for their first wins in debate!” Dr. Doug Fraleigh, professor of communication, said. “Individual events competitors Jessika Torres, Ornaldo Gonalez and Alex Anderson helped debaters prepare, and their research skills are always a big asset for our team.”
Jessika Torres won third place in Programmed Oral Interpretation. Sean Baize finished third in extemporaneous speaking, and Grant Meyers was a finalist. Joey Telesco placed fourth in informative speaking, and Alex Anderson was a finalist in persuasive speaking. Gonzalez, Luis Zamora, and Maya Padilla also represented Fresno State in individual events.
“The tournament was also a lot of fun! This is a completely awesome team to hang out with!” said Fraleigh.
Fraleigh said the Bulldogs gathered between rounds in their prep room, and Fraleigh said when they were not getting ready for debate, they engaged in intellectual pursuits such as trading shoes and playing hangman. They were joined by Barking Bulldogs Alumni and 2023 Student of Distinction Melissa Tejeda, who volunteered her weekend to help the team.
The Barking Bulldogs will debate Fresno State and Merced College students at Valley State Prison on April 25.
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 