Command and conquer

The East Texas Baptist University Debate Team 

traveled to the Oregon State 

University speech and debate tournament February 23 

and 24 and came away with 

many top awards. Fifteen different universities, primarily 

from Oregon, Washington, 

and Idaho, participated in the 

weekend event.

Dakota Hiltzman and 

Heather DeVille won first 

and second place respectively in the Novice Extemporaneous Speaking competition. 

Neither had ever competed in 

the event at a collegiate tournament. The duo bested the 

other 37 students entered in 

the event to come away with 

the two top spots.Tania Albuja compiled a 

4-1 preliminary record in the 

debate competition and advanced to elimination rounds. 

She won her first elimination 

round and finished the competition as a Silver Medalist. 

Albuja also was the fourth 

place Novice speaker out of 

55 Novice debaters.

DeVille compiled a perfect 5-0 record in preliminary 

rounds in the 75-competitor Varsity Division. She 

too won her first elimination 

round and advanced to the 

Gold Medal Round where 

she won, claiming a top prize 

in the debate competition. 

DeVille was named the winner on 10 of 11 ballots cast in 

rounds in which she competed for the competition.

Other ETBU debaters 

competing in the weekend 

events included Hiltzman 

and Ryan Stokes. Stokes finished the tournament with a 

3-2 record and just missed 

qualifying for the elimination 

rounds.

“I could not be prouder 

of this group,” said Dr. Cole 

Franklin, coach of the ETBU 

squad. “They came into a 

very unfamiliar environment, 

competing against opponents 

they had never faced before, 

and won the top awards in 

debate and individual events 

competitions. They represented the university very 

well and earned the respect 

of students and faculty of the 

universities represented at 

the tournament. They served 

as outstanding delegates for 

ETBU.”

The ETBU Debate 

Team compete next at a special two-tournament swing 

event hosted by Lee College 

and Stephen F. Austin State 

University March 8-10. The 

event will take place on the 

SFA campus. For more information on the ETBU Debate 

Team contact Cole Franklin 

at 903-923-2288 903-923-

2288 FREE or email cfranklin@etbu.edu.