<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) Western Kentucky University student Brandon Merrell prepares for the competition. Suzanne Schmid / The Herald  (click to enlarge) Western Kentucky University student Todd Rainey, a Snohomish High School graduate, speaks during a debate competition at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma on Oct. 27. Suzanne Schmid / The Herald  (click to enlarge) Western Kentucky University student Sarah Spiker compiles notes before heading into a debate competition at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma on Oct. 27. Spiker was one of three Snohomish High graduates on the WKU national power debating team.

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Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com

College recruits Snohomish County debaters

Snohomish High School students earned notice, scholarships

By Eric Stevick
Herald writer

Brandon Merrell, Todd Rainey and Sarah Spiker are always up for a good argument.

They just didn't realize they could be so persuasive.

A year ago, the trio were standout members of the Snohomish High School debate team, each planning to go their separate ways for college.

This fall, they're scholarship winners representing national power Western Kentucky University on the collegiate forensics circuit.

"I only did debate for one year in high school, and we didn't real­ly know anything about the college debate scene, so getting a scholarship never entered my wildest dreams," said Merrell, who has declared a triple major in economics, philosophy and political science.

A trip to a national high school tournament in Wichita, Kan., last June got them noticed by colleges and universities looking for nimble minds and convincing prose.

"It's like being a basketball scout," said Judy Woodring, a long-time coach at Western Kentucky. "You can pretty much assess whether a student has the ability pretty quickly. You can tell if they can compete on the national level."

While they still have a lot to learn, all three freshmen from Snohomish have enormous potential, solid organizational skills and know how to budget their time between school and debate, she said.

"I think all three of them have potential to be national champions," Woodring said.

In a whirlwind fall, the freshmen have been exploring the country while competing against other schools. They've been to Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska and to the ­University of Puget Sound in Tacoma and have placed well in several events. Their schedule also includes trips to New Hampshire and Colorado, among other stops.

All of which is a little hard to comprehend.

Three years ago, Snohomish High School began resurrecting its debate program after several years without one. It started with eight students. By this fall, 93 turned out and 67 students remain on the team.

Spiker, a political science major, vividly remembers her first competition against Kamiak High School.

"I was terrible," Spiker said.

But not for long.

Bill Nicolay, who coached the students at Snohomish High School, remembers her determination to get better.

"I thought she was going to quit the team early on," Nicolay said. "But there isn't any quit in her at all."

Spiker and her fellow students improved quickly. Last spring, Snohomish sent 11 students to nationals, more than any other school in the state. That team included Merrell, Rainey and Spiker.

The students are grateful to Western Kentucky, their alma mater and former coach for opening doors they wouldn't have tried.

"Bill Nicolay ... is an incredible coach and wonderful person who puts in a huge amount of work for his students," Merrell said. "Without his work, none of us would ever have become involved in debate."

The Snohomish connection still thrives in Bowling Green, Ky. All three compete in several events and Merrell and Rainey team up in the parliamentary debate.

Merrell also makes an argument for high schools to offer debate teams.

"Not only is it extremely educational, but it also conditions students to have a serious work ethic," he said. "Through debate we meet some highly intelligent, very interesting people. It's a shame that so many talented students don't have a chance to experience such an incredibly rewarding activity due to a lack of funding from their local school district."

Rainey, a finance major, hopes other young people pursue debate.

"Even if it doesn't land a scholarship, it is a chance to explore the world through structured argumentation," Rainey said. "It's a lifestyle, and one that I love."

Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or e-mail stevick@heraldnet.com.