Washburn University Debate Earns Fourth Place at Nationals

Topeka, Kan. - The Washburn University debate team earned fourth place at the National Forensic Association Lincoln Douglas (NFA LD) Debate Championships April 16-20, 2026, hosted by Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn. The NFA LD Championships is the year-end national tournament.

Additional tournament results:

• Alfonso Rascon, junior, was an octafinalist in the Open Division. Rascon also placed ninth out of 106 speakers overall.
• Grady Smith, freshman, was a triple octafinalist in the Open Division.
• Jenna Massey, freshman, and Ziona Jackson, sophomore, were double octafinalists in the Open Division.
• Zach Buffington, freshman, was a semifinalist in the Novice Breakout.

Also representing Washburn were Chrisangel Adame, sophomore, Khalani Britt, junior, Wendo Kimori, junior, Madeline O'Leary-Worsley, sophomore and Grace Springer, freshman. Washburn alumni judges and coaches included Andrew Rea (current graduate student in Washburn's master's in communication and leadership program,'25), Matt Parnell ('18) and Aly Fiebrantz Awsare ('11). Shanna Carlson ('10) served as tabulation director for the tournament and is the director of debate at Illinois State University.

Other universities competing included California State University, Sacramento, Florida State University, Illinois College, Illinois State University, Kansas City KS Community College, Lewis & Clark College, Louisiana State University, Missouri State University, Missouri Valley College, San Diego State University, San Joaquin Delta, Texas State University, Truman State University, University of Missouri Kansas City, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University of Pittsburgh, University of Texas-Dallas, University of the Pacific, University of Utah and Western Kentucky University.

"I'm proud of every student who competed-and, in Andrew's case, coached and judged-for us. I'm equally proud of our alumni and friends who return for nearly every tournament throughout the year, especially Nationals," said Kevin O'Leary, director of debate and senior lecturer in communication studies, Washburn University. "The squad has worked hard since July 2025, when this year's debate resolution was announced. We met for three days the week before classes began in the fall for our annual internal summer camp and the students have been busy every week since. I'm excited to see what next year brings, as we graduate no one from the squad. Everyone is returning. We will start again in July 2026."

The Washburn University debate team was the national champion in the 2023-24 season and finished the 2024-25 season ranked third in the nation.

O'Leary and Steve Doubledee, assistant director of debate and senior lecturer in communication studies, coach the Washburn debate team. The program focuses on the Lincoln-Douglas (LD) debate format, which follows a 6-3-7-3-4-6-3 time schedule. Each debater receives 13 minutes of speaking time, three minutes of question time, and four to five minutes of preparation time between speeches. Each round lasts approximately 45 minutes.

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Founded in 1865, Washburn University is a public institution with almost 8,000 students in more than 200 academic programs. Washburn's programs lead to certification, associate, bachelor's, master's, doctor of nursing practice, and juris doctor degrees. The programs are offered through six primary academic units: the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Applied Studies, Gregory D. and Ronda K. Brenneman School of Business, Harmony J. Hines School of Nursing, School of Law, and Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech).

All programs are offered on Washburn's 160-acre residential campus in the heart of Topeka, Kansas, at Washburn Tech's west-side campus, or in the East Topeka facility. Washburn University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, and many individual programs have additional accreditations.

For further information, contact:

Lacey Kinder
Content Specialist
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 785-670-2154