![Watching a small group scrimmage, Ben Lundt, St. Louis City SC goalkeeper and founder of Lundt Pro Soccer Training, shouts words of encouragement to players on Sunday, April 26 n the Lafayette grass soccer field. “The idea behind [the event] was to bring the professional soccer players closer to the community because usually people only get to see us on TV or in the stadium. [Families] actually having the opportunity to have their kids on the field with us is the most important aspect,” Ben Lundt said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6823-1200x800.jpg)
![In celebration of winning his second straight state title in the 215 weight class, junior Carter Brown backflips before leaving the mat. Brown won his bout against junior Kobe Rhymes of North Kansas City High School by fall in just 41 seconds. "Carter does what Carter does. We expect [success] out of him and his goals are bigger than the state championship," coach Sam Ritchie said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2784-1200x800.jpg)
In his fourth year as Speech and Debate Coach, Paul Jacox said, “I enjoy watching students mature into performers and debaters.”
He continued, “I get a kick out of it when students tell me about how their skills are paying off in other classes in school.”
The team competes in a variety of events centered on public speaking, performance and politically and philosophically themed debates.
Jacox said most students are in Speech and Debate “mostly because they enjoy it. [However] some have aspirations of a career in law, politics or performance.”
He said the team provides good preparation.
“The tournaments are attended by many of the areas high school teams,” Jacox said. “The individuals or sometimes pairs of teams compete in about four rounds. They are judged and about of the poll of participants in each even moves on to compete for trophies.”