The OHS Speech and Debate team is off to a great start.

After winning the Annual Autumn Congressional Debate Tournament at OHS on Oct. 1, the team placed fifth at Parkway West’s Speech and Debate Invitational last weekend (Oct. 14-15).

“I think the team is great this year and we have a lot of amazing new members,” said Shaun Lamar (12), who took first in Domestic Extemp and Original Oratory at Parkway West.

Competing against 22 other schools, OHS took fifth overall, behind Parkway Central, Ladue, Clayton, and Marquette. According to Coach Ed Taylor, 15 OHS students went to finals, including four from OHS.

Aaron Mohabbat (12) took fourth in Foreign Extemp. In Public Forum Debate, Mohabbat and his Ryan Westwood (9) took second place. Westwood also took fifth in Congressional Debate.

Sohrab Azad (12) took first in Congressional Debate. Azad and his debate partner Gabi Connors (12) took fourth in Public Forum Debate.

In the novice divisions, in Extemp Speaking Brooke Mumma (12) took second, Simone Hanna (12) third, and Connor Jones (10) fourth.

In radio, Sam Gandhi (10) took first, Shayla Hrncic (12) second, and Jones fourth. In novice public forum Hrncic and Sarah Stich took third with a 5-1 record. Also, Mumma and Hanna took second with a 6-1 record.

Ninety students from nine schools competed at OHS in the congressional debate tournament earlier this month. OHS took first, followed by Ladue, Mehlville, and Clayton.

“In congressional debate we’re undefeated,” Taylor said.

The next tournament is this weekend (Oct. 22) at Liberty High School in Lake St. Louis.