Debaters Win Top Honors, Make CSUF History

Sophomore Luis Magallon, a President’s Scholar, made CSUF history last fall when he placed first in the Georgia State University Debate Tournament, defeating last year’s defending champion from Northwestern University and the top speaker from last year’s National Debate Tournament from Harvard University. He was the only sophomore in the top 10 speakers.

Senior Brenda Montes placed a respectable third. Also, Brenda and Luis finished with a 6-2 preliminary round record and in the top 16.

In related news, College Sports Television ran its annual coverage of the 2005 National Debate Tournament in September, where Luis, Brenda and Coach Jon Bruschke (Human Communication Studies) were featured prominently.

Congratulations are due also to several speakers at the CSU-Northridge forensics tournament. Freshman Kristin Kresse placed first in Communication Analysis and was named the tournament’s “top novice competitor.” She also won a finalist award in Novice Impromptu Speaking.

Other speakers who placed were Emma Galindo-Perez, Missy Mercado, Patricia Cato-Young, and Maria Gonzalez Jr. As a result of their individual honors, Kristin and Patricia are on their way to earning a spot at the American Forensics Association’s National Individual Events Tournament.