September 21, 2016
MARSHALL, Texas-The East Texas Baptist University Debate Team competed in the Lee College Mendoza Debate Tournament September 17-18 in Baytown, Texas. The team returned home with a third place team finish, ahead of eight other programs in the 11-program field.
ETBU finished ahead of Stephen F. Austin State University, Southern Methodist University, and Northwestern State University. This was the first debate tournament experience for four of ETBU's seven competitors at the event.
In the Junior Varsity division, Tele'ma Blackman, posted a 5-2 preliminary round record and advanced to the semifinal round. She won her semifinal round, advancing to the final round before losing on a 2-1 judges' decision. Blackman also was ranked as the 4th place speaker in the Junior Varsity field.
"Seeing as it was the first tournament of the season, I was nervous, but the Lee tournament definitely boosted my confidence for the future," Blackman said. "The key to succeeding for me is feeling comfortable and relaxed, having my team's support, and exuding confidence as I speak. I try to stay current and know both sides of current events and topics so that I can be prepared for whatever comes in a debate."
The whole team started the season with success. In the professional division, ETBU debate team coach, Dr. Cole Franklin, earned a 4-3 preliminary round record. He was also the 5th place speaker in the professional division. In the novice division, Andrew Franklin, competing in his first collegiate debate tournament, posted a 4-3 preliminary record and was the 7th place speaker in the division. Other ETBU debaters contributing to the team victory were Jessica Alvarado, Brandon Hancock, Markevia Holmes, and ETBU alum Michael Hicks.
"We are very happy with these results," Franklin said. "We had a very small entry at this first tournament of the season and most of our students had no prior debate experience. To finish in third place against some much larger universities is quite an accomplishment. We are excited about the potential for ETBU debate this year."
This was the first debate tournament of the year for the ETBU team. The team will next compete at The University of Southern Mississippi speech and debate tournament, September 23-25 in Hattiesburg, Miss.