The Hutchinson High School debate season started with a win at Topeka’s Washburn Rural High School Saturday (Sept. 19, 2015). The team of senior Emily Fan and junior Siynatee McGraw won the open division at Washburn Rural on a unanimous vote of the judges in finals. Overall the duo went 8-1 in the tournament. At Nickerson the team of Rhys Tash and Gracie Gaines, both sophomores, went 4-1 and placed sixth in the novice division. The tournament was the first for both debaters. “It was a great opening weekend for Salthawk debate,” said Zach Brown, HHS head debate coach. “We competed and were successful in the novice, JV, open and varsity division at two very competitive tournaments. This is a true team accomplishment and the first of what is sure to be many proud weekends this year.” The Salthawks host its own tournament this weekend, the Tom Kelly Invitational Debate Tournament. The tournament is the largest it has been in at least two decades with nearly 150 teams in varsity and novice divisions. Local judges are still needed for the tournament. The tournament features rounds at for varsity debaters are Friday, Sept. 25, at 3:45 and 5:15 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 26, at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. with elimination debates starting at 1:45 p.m. Rounds for novice debaters are Saturday, Sept. 26, at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. and 1:30 and 3 p.m. To volunteer to judge online, go to

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or email Brown at brown.zachary@usd308.com.