Claiming one victory at a time, Missouri Southern’s Speech and Debate Team is preparing for the National Forensic Association tournament.

“Obviously we hope to win, but if nothing else we hope to represent Southern in the last part of the breaks,” said David Reed, junior political science major.

Forensics Director Kelly Larson said the biggest competition for the team this year is Western Kentucky and Washburn University.

Last year at nationals, the team took five freshman and finished fifth place. Larson said this in one of the things that makes him most proud. Out of his seven years as the debate coach the team has finished in the top five four times.

“What can each individual do to help us accomplish what our team goal is, and our team goal every year is to try to finish in the top 5 as a team,” Larson said.