Facing off against 52 of the top debate teams from across the state, Friendswood’s students demonstrated poise, skill, and resilience under pressure.
The team of Camille Arthur and Bailee Kettler advanced to the quarterfinal round, earning a tie for 4th place in the state—an incredible achievement in one of the most competitive fields in the UIL circuit.
Even more impressively, the team of Ishan Pendyala and Aydin Haniff powered through every elimination round to reach the finals, ultimately finishing as state runners-up with a 2nd place overall finish.
Coach Jose Rivera praised the team’s hard work and endurance, noting, “Over the course of two long days, our students competed against the best in the state and proved they belong among Texas’ elite. Their performance was a result of months of preparation, and we couldn’t be prouder.”
The success at the state tournament caps off a strong season for Friendswood Speech and Debate and sets a high bar for future competitions.
