photo by: Contributed

Free State High School's four-speaker debate team recently qualified for the 2022 state tournament by finishing in first place at the Olathe North High School regional. The team includes, from left to right, Mimi Stephenson, John Marshall, Ezra Joseph, Serena Rupp, Emma Stammeyer, and Gilly Falin.

Two Lawrence debate teams are set to compete for a four-speaker championship title next month, with one already bringing home some hardware.

The four-speaker debate teams from both Free State High School and Bishop Seabury Academy recently qualified for their respective state tournaments, which are set to begin Jan. 14.

Free State qualified by winning the regional tournament at Olathe North High School earlier this month, finishing in first place above crosstown rival Lawrence High and other four-speaker teams from Olathe. The team earned a 9-1 record at the tournament.

Reaching the state tournament is not unusual for the Free State program, but Free State coach Kelly Thompson told the Journal-World on Monday that the goal will now be to finish in the top three of the tournament.

“Qualifying for State is a good first step,” Thompson said in an email. “The kids will work hard for the next few weeks preparing with the goal of bringing home a trophy.”

He also said he believes the season has gone well for the Free State program, including some of the best performances from experienced debaters in both traditional and contemporary styles of debate. It also included strong showings from novice debaters on the team, he said.

“We think January should be a strong close to our season,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bishop Seabury’s four-speaker team placed third in its regional tournament at Wichita Collegiate School, finishing with a 5-5 record. LHS finished in fifth with a 4-6 record at the regional tournament and did not qualify for the four-speaker state tournament.

At the 6A state tournament, which will be held at Wichita Southeast High School, Free State will compete against eight other schools, including Washburn Rural High School, which has won five straight state championships in the four-speaker competition.

Bishop Seabury, which will compete at the 3A and below state tournament held at Silver Lake High School, will compete against seven other schools, including defending champion Wichita Collegiate.

Despite not qualifying for the four-speaker tournament, LHS is listed as participating in the two-speaker debate portion of the tournament, according to the Kansas High School Activities Association. Free State and Bishop Seabury will also send debaters to compete in the 2-speaker competitions.

Free State and Bishop Seabury have also been successful in the two-speaker competitions, winning state titles in 2019 and 2017, respectively.