Burton Independent School District

The Burton Panthers competed this Saturday, January 31st in the Salado Spring Classic. While the weather was far from spring like, the Panthers definitely heated up the debate floor. The Panthers were short several debaters due to illness, but still managed to field three teams for the cross-examination debate tournament. Altogether, the Panthers scored seven victories and 636 speaker points. Placing third for the Panthers was the veteran team of Amelia Brown (Jr.) and Rubi Rios (Jr.) with one victory and 209.5 speaker points. Placing second of the Panthers, and debating for the first time together, was the team of returner Autumn Applewhite (So.) and newcomer Kinley Frank (So.) with two victories and 212.5 speaker points. Policy Debate with Cross-Examination format is meant to be a two on two contest. However, illnesses left the Panthers short a debater for the third team. Rather than forfeit the rounds, veteran debater Cadeyn Manley (Sr.) elected to go it alone, notching two victories and scoring 214 speaker points while finishing first among the Panthers and 13th overall. Next up for the Panthers are trips to Pflugerville and Cypress as they look to close out the invitational season by qualifying for the State Tournament in Austin.