The PLNU Speech and Debate Team has once again proven its excellence on the world stage, returning home from the International Forensics Association (IFA) World Championship with three World Champion titles.
The tournament, held at the University of Utah’s Asian Campus in Incheon, South Korea, featured 27 colleges and universities from around the world competing in a variety of speech and debate events. PLNU placed fifth overall in the team sweepstakes, with standout performances from Tess Halbert, Jesse Stirling, and Fischer Doan, who claimed the title of World Champions for 2025. Notably, Tess and Fischer also won World Championships in Dublin last year, making this an incredible back-to-back achievement for the program.
Dominating the Debate Rounds
PLNU’s dominance was evident in the NPDA (two-on-two) debate, where three of the four semifinalist teams were from Point Loma. In the IPDA (one-on-one) debate, PLNU advanced four competitors to elimination rounds, with Jesse Stirling and Fischer Doan ultimately closing out the final round—securing co-champion status for both.
Beyond debate, the team also earned recognition in individual events, with Tess Halbert, Jesse Stirling, and Fischer Doan all bringing home top speaker medals
Their success across multiple formats reflects the team’s well-rounded preparation and dedication. The strong performances in both debate and individual events highlight the team’s commitment to excellence and growth.
An Enriching Experience Beyond Competition
The team of 18 students, coaches, and judges not only showcased their competitive prowess but also took the opportunity to immerse themselves in South Korean culture. Highlights of their trip included visits to Seoul, the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and Pastor David Yonggi Cho’s renowned mega-church.
Reflecting on the experience, the team expressed gratitude for the support of PLNU’s administration, faculty, alumni, and coaching staff, noting that their academic foundation played a crucial role in their success.
This marks PLNU’s third time competing in the IFA World Championship, with the next tournament set to take place in Athens, Greece, in 2026
Congratulations to the PLNU Speech and Debate Team on their outstanding achievements!
Results for PLNU at the International Forensics Association 2025 in Incheon, South Korea
Open IPDA Debate (one on one format)
Fischer Doan – World Champion! (closed out the final round with PLNU debater Jesse Stirling)
Jesse Stirling – World Champion! (closed out the final round with PLNU debater Fischer Doan)
Jane Clark – Octa finalist
Cianna Jones – Octa finalist
Open IPDA Speaker Awards
Jesse Stirling - 3rd place
Jane Clark - 7th place
Fischer Doan - 8th place
Josh Scott - 9th place
Cianna Jones - 17th place
Open NPDA Debate (two on two format)
Tess Halbert & Jolie Reams – Finalists (2nd Place)
Gisselle Martin & Jordan Horrey – Semifinalists (3rd Place)
Ayden Reams & Dylan Clark – Semifinalists (3rd Place)
Open NPDA Speaker Awards
Tess Halbert – World Champion! 1st place speaker
Dylan Clark - 8th place speaker
Individual Events Results
Open Impromptu
Tess Halbert - 3rd place
Fischer Doan - Semifinalist
Open Extemporaneous
Jesse Stirling - 5th place
If you would like more information on PLNU’s Championship team, or know someone who might be interested in joining, please contact their Director, Dr. Skip Rutledge, via email at skiprutledge@pointloma.edu