CYPRESS : Two Champions in an ‘Unknown Sport’

Despite their ability to speak up, Holly Hurt and Suzanne Turrentine are practically unknown champions at Cypress College.

The two-member Cypress College Forensics Team captured a gold medal in the National Speech and Debate Competition, which was held last month in Costa Mesa. And while they describe themselves as participants in the college’s “unknown sport,” the debating duo and their coach said that doing their personal best was more important than fame.

Besides taking top honors in Small School Sweepstakes Debate, the pair also won a silver medal in Overall Debate and took home several individual medals.

Competing against school teams with up to 30 members, Hurt and Turrentine were proud of their accomplishments. “We were here every day over spring break preparing for the nationals,” Hurt said. For Coach Pat Ganer, who is stepping down after 20 years as forensics coach, the victory was a nice way to leave the sport. “I was thrilled for them,” Ganer said. “They came a long way and worked hard; they deserve it.”

Ganer was also honored at the competition with the Taylor-Collie Fellowship Award. Voted on by other forensics students, the award goes to a person who exemplifies coaching excellence.

Ganer, who will continue teaching language art courses at Cypress College, says she no longer has the time to commit to the team. On average, they practiced about 25 hours a week, often giving up holidays and weekends to prepare for competition.

Last month, the team captured several medals, including two individual silvers in the State Speech and Debate Competition. After their strong showing, Hurt and Turrentine decided to take a shot at the nationals.

Along with the team awards, Turrentine won a gold in the Lincoln Douglas Debate and a silver in Informative Speaking.

Hurt captured a bronze in the Lincoln Douglas Debate and in Impromptu Speaking. She also received from her peers the Bell-Scroggins Award, which goes to the participant who best exemplifies the qualities of a debater.

Both team members will be transfering in the fall to four-year schools and are considering careers in law. Turrentine, a speech major, has not decided where she will go, while Hurt, a psychology major, plans to attend UC Davis.