October 6, 2015
MARSHALL, Texas (10/06/15) - The East Texas Baptist University Debate Team competed at the University of Arkansas at Monticello Weevil Wars Debate Tournament in Monticello, Arkansas the weekend of October 3-4. Eleven schools from six states competed at the event. While the team did not finish the tournament in the top three sweepstakes calculations, some individual debaters had success at the event.
Sophomore Telema Blackman of Alexandria, La., competing in only her third collegiate debate tournament, advanced to the elimination rounds for the third time. In her first tournament, Blackman advanced to the elimination round of the top 16 novice debaters. In her second tournament, she advanced to the quarterfinal round. At the Weevil Wars, Blackman advanced through eliminations to the semifinal round before losing. She completed the tournament with a 7-2 win/loss record. A total of 35 individuals competed in the Novice division of the tournament.
In the Professional division, ETBU professor and debate team coach Dr. Cole Franklin, posted a 5-1 preliminary record. He also defeated his quarterfinal competitor before falling in the semifinal round. He finished the tournament with a final record of 6-2. A total of 22 individuals competed in the professional division of the tournament.
In the Junior Varsity division, junior Gavin McAdam of Henderson, was recognized as the second place speaker in the division among the 31 competitors in the division.
Other ETBU competitors at the tournament included junior Shayne Davis of Marshall, junior Katelynn "Ro" Burns of Winnsboro, freshman Austin Brown of Fort Worth, sophomore Harleigh Parrish of Huntington, freshman Josh Moreno of Fort Worth, and sophomore Charles Quigley of Houston.
"I'm happy for our performance," Dr. Franklin said. "This was a large tournament with some outstanding competition. To have two of our members advance to the final four in the respective divisions is excellent. Although they are individual wins, we consider every win a team victory as everyone on the team helps those advancing to elimination rounds with case preparation and research. While the individual is awarded a trophy, every win is a team win."
The ETBU squad will compete next at the Louisiana State University at Shreveport Red River Classic debate tournament November 6-8. The ETBU debate team is open to any ETBU student, faculty or staff member that would like to participate. No experience is required. For more information about the ETBU debate team, please contact Dr. Cole Franklin at 903.923.2288 or email cfranklin@etbu.edu