Loyola Speech & Debate Has Much to Celebrate After District Tournament

It has been an exciting past few weeks for Loyola Speech & Debate.

First, congratulations to Mrs. Chantal Cross, Loyola's Director of Human Resources and Auxiliary Services, for being named District Administrator of the Year at this weekend’s Chesapeake District Tournament. The Chesapeake District covers speech and debate programs in Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, DC, and Mrs. Cross received the unanimous vote of the District Committee. Mrs. Cross does countless things behind the scenes to support our Speech & Debate program, along with all of our other clubs and activities at Loyola, and her professionalism and wisdom and timely intervention are vital to our continued success. She is the second Loyola administrator to be honored with this award, with Principal Marinacci having received it previously.  

Second, congratulations to Dr. Steve Moss, the program's Deputy Head Coach, for being honored by the Harvard International Invitational, a tournament that featured over 4,000 competitors and 1,300 judges from seven countries. Dr. Moss was appointed to judge the final round in Dramatic Interpretation. 

Third, congratulations to our newest District Champions, Farrell Gregory '22 in International Extemporaneous Speaking and Mateen Kane '21 in Dramatic Interpretation. Both of these Dons have put in a significant amount of work in practice, and their efforts have paid off with tickets to the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament in June!

Fourth, congratulations to senior Jakob Taylor '21 for making some Loyola Speech & Debate history. Jakob took 2nd place in Congressional Debate at the Chesapeake District Tournament, becoming the first-ever Loyola Don to qualify for NSDA Nationals all four years of high school. Jakob will receive a special recognition at NSDA Nationals to celebrate this accomplishment.

Finally, congratulations to senior Kevin Wallner '21 for earning the Degree of Premier Distinction from the National Speech and Debate Association (the NSDA’s highest level of recognition), after topping 1,500 competition points. This award recognizes breadth and quality of performance over a full career.

Congratulations to the following Dons who have had award-winning performances at recent tournaments. The last Baltimore Catholic Forensic League (BCFL) regular-season tournament is this weekend. Qualifiers to the BCFL Metro Championship will be announced shortly thereafter.

Chesapeake District Tournament (NSDA National Qualifier)

Farrell Gregory '22
District Champion in International Extemporaneous Speaking (National Qualifier)

Mateen Kane '21
District Champion in Dramatic Interpretation (National Qualifier)

Jakob Taylor '21
2nd Place in Congressional Debate (National Qualifier)

Charlie Burke '22
2nd Place in Humorous Interpretation (National Qualifier)

Kevin Wallner '21 & Brendan Fanzone '22
2nd Place in Duo Interpretation (National Qualifiers)

Toni Akintola '22
1st Alternate in Original Oratory

David Ruiz '21
1st Alternate in Dramatic Interpretation

Josh Zacharia '22 & Kyle Weaver '22
2nd Alternates in Duo Interpretation

Thomas McNulty '22
1st Alternate in Humorous Interpretation

Thomas Nickel '21
2nd Alternate in Informative Speaking

Harvard International Invitational

Jakob Taylor '21
Octafinalist in Congressional Debate,
Leadership Bowl Recipient,
Half-Qualification to the Tournament of Champions

BCFL #5

Kevin Wallner '21
Silver Medal in Dramatic Performance

Brendan Fanzone '22
Honorable Mention in Dramatic Performance
Silver Medal in Oral Interpretation of Literature
Gold Medal in Individual Sweepstakes (Triathlon)

Brendan Fanzone '22 & Kevin Wallner '21
Silver Medal in Duo Interpretation

Farrell Gregory '22
Honorable Mention in Extemporaneous Speaking

Toni Akintola '22
Gold Medal in Impromptu Speaking
Honorable Mention in Original Oratory

David Adebogun '22
Silver Medal in Original Oratory