Pauls now second on LHS all-time speech and debate points list

Posted by Peter Hancock March 4, 2013 at 11:27 a.m.

Pauls now second on LHS all-time speech and debate points list

Lawrence High School senior Lauren Pauls became the school's number-two all-time National Forensics League point earner on Saturday after winning two first-place medals and one second-place medal at the Olathe Northwest speech and debate tournament.

Pauls took first in original oratory and informative speaking. She previously qualified for the 6A state tournament in those events after placing first and second respectively in them at the Free State High School tournament Feb. 22-23.

She also won second in congressional debate, Senate.

Debate and forensics students earn NFL points every time they compete or give a performance. More points are earned for wins and high place showings. Lawrence High coach Jeff Plinsky said Pauls' performance this weekend put her at 1,840 NFL points, second on the LHS all-time list behind 2007 graduate Brandon Schwager who earned 1,933.

Meanwhile, Clara Cobb, sophomore, qualified to the state tournament with a third-place finish in humorous interpretation.

Julia Silverstein, junior, won first place in Lincoln-Douglas debate, open division. Haley Luna, sophomore, won first in congressional debate, House.

Other top finishers included:

• Katie Gaches, junior, second place, congressional debate, House.

• Ellis Springe, freshman, third place, Lincoln-Douglas debatre.

• Phoebe Clark, junior, fourth place, Lincoln-Douglas debate, novice division.

• Hannah Lee, sophomore, fifth place, informative speaking.

• Drew Bryant, junior, sixth place, Lincoln-Douglas debate, novice division.