TCU’s Speech & Debate team attended its first competition of the season at the Hub City Swing, which ran Oct. 4-5 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

The team placed second in Team Individual Events, and members said they are happy with their performance.

“I’m especially proud of our new members for competing in their first tournament,” Natalie Pelan, the team’s vice president and junior political science and communication double-major, said.

“One of our novices got second place in varsity debate, which was awesome,” Gaby Longoria, the team’s administrative officer and sophomore nursing major, said.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the TCU Pi Kappa Delta chapter, a national speech and debate organization.

“I think it’s a pretty massive milestone for our team to make it to the 100-year anniversary,” Ellie Griffin, team’s president and senior theatre and journalism double-major, said.

Griffin mentioned that Dr. Hinderaker “brought the team back to life after a bit of a hiatus in the ‘90s.”

“It’s special that our team has been so successful throughout the years, and it’s all thanks to our coach, Dr. Hinderaker,” Pelan said. 

Team members said they are also looking forward to the rest of the season.

“The speech and debate team has kind of been like my little family,” Griffin said. “It’s also been my springboard, and it’s gotten me involved in so many other campus organizations and community events that I might not have been otherwise involved in.”

The team’s next competition will be at DFW Swing, hosted by TCU, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.