Schuelke Finishes in Top 20 at National Debate Tournament

MHS debaters Max Schuelke and Keira Steffen represented the Northern District of South Dakota at the 100th National Speech and Debate Tournament held in Des Moines Iowa, from June 15-20. The Northern District includes Aberdeen, Watertown, Lennox, Brookings, Huron, Mitchell, Pierre, and Milbank.

The late Doug Tschetter, a longtime and eight-Diamond award winning debate coach at MHS, was inducted into the National Speech and Debate Association Hall of Fame during the event.   

Max placed in the top seven percent of the 280 Lincoln-Douglas debaters from across the country by earning 18th place. Debaters needed eight winning ballots out of 12 in the first six rounds to ‘break.’ Max broke and won the next two rounds, but lost in Rounds 9 and 11 in the double elimination portion of the tournament. Keira was part of a 460 member house, but did not break into the final rounds.

The tournament made international headlines when a 22-year old West Kentucky University student, originally from Wyoming, took the stage on Thursday afternoon and interrupted the Humorous Interpretation finals. According to media accounts and videos, the man began to behave erratically and prompted the announcer to yell, “Run, run!” A stampede of attendees fleeing the auditorium ensued. No injuries were reported.

A  report from the executive director of the National Speech and Debate Association, J. Scott Wunn, stated that no weapons were involved, but a sweep of the venue was conducted. Although no threats were made, the competition was suspended for the day and continued Friday on a revised schedule and with increased restrictions. The man was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. University officials announced the man had been, but would no longer be a member of the WKU forensics team.

The Centennial national tournament also marked Max’s last high school debate appearance. According to his head coach, Kathy Tyler, Max carved out one of the most successful debate careers in South Dakota High School history.  Max will be attending Northern University in the fall. He also plans to assist the debate program at Aberdeen Central High School.

Keira will be returning to MHS as a senior this fall. “She will be moving into the speech and debate leadership spot for Milbank’s forensics team,” commented Tyler. “She will shine!”

Submitted Photos: Top- Schuelke, Tyler and Steffen.