HUTCHINSON, kan. — A team from the Hutchinson High School debate squad has qualified for the National Speech and Debate Association’s nationals next summer.

According to USD 308 Spokesperson ray Hemman, Senior Annie Blake and junior Austin Childs went 6-2 and took third overall at Saturday’s qualifier in Buhler. The pair defeated Garden City in the final round of the eight-round tournament.

Other HHS teams participating at the tournament were Alexis Glaspie and Matt LaMunyon who had a record of 2-2, and two younger teams of Rhys Tash and Seamus Wamsley, as well as Brevin Armstrong and Mariana Ocon. Additional qualifying tournaments for nationals in individual events and other debate categories will be held in the spring.

The national tournament will be June 18 to 23, 2017, in Birmingham, Alabama.

David Bowers is the debate and forensics head coach at HHS.