February 13, 2017
East Texas Baptist University's Debate Team participated at the 2017 Louisiana State University Mardi Gras Swing Debate Tournament in Baton Rouge, Louisiana February 3-4. Two ETBU team members won championships at the competition.
ETBU senior Tele'Ma Blackman and junior Harleigh Parrish both competed in the Junior Varsity Division for ETBU. Blackman won the JV Tournament Championship and Parrish won the JV Speaking Championship.
Blackman and Parrish both advanced through the six preliminary rounds of debate to the quarterfinal round. After winning their quarterfinal rounds, the teammates were slated to face off against each other in the semifinals. However, Blackman advanced over Parrish to the final round on a coach's decision as Blackman was the higher seed in the tournament. Blackman won the Junior Varsity Tournament Championship round on a 3-0 decision over her competitor from Mississippi State University.
Although Parrish was eliminated from the competition in the semifinal round, she compiled the greatest number of speaking points of all JV competitors in the preliminary rounds and earned the Junior Varsity Speaking Championship.
In the Novice Division, ETBU saw success as well. Sophomore Andrew Franklin and sophomore Carrie Sparks both advanced to the quarterfinal round of competition. Franklin compiled a 4-2 record and Sparks earned a 3-3 preliminary record. Sparks also was the 2nd place speaker in the Novice Division.
As a team, ETBU finished in 4th place, falling behind Mississippi State University, University of Southern Mississippi, and TCU. Other ETBU competitors contributing to the successful team finish were sophomore Jessica Alvarado, junior Hannah Lawson, both of whom earned 3-3 preliminary records, junior Allison Rodden, and ETBU Debate Coach Dr. Cole Franklin.
"Everyone performed very well," Franklin said. "ETBU debaters comprised 25% of the quarterfinal field in both the Novice and Junior Varsity divisions. To win two championships and finish fourth in the final standings against such difficult competition once again reinforces the strength of our team."
The ETBU Debate Team's next competition is at the Bossier Parish Community College at the Eddie Shell Invitational Debate Tournament February 18-19 in Bossier City, Louisiana. The debate team is open to any student, faculty, or staff member, regardless of experience.