Debate team members earn national honors

Debate team members at the University recently received honors at a national tournament, Dr. Charles Walts, director of forensics and assistant professor of speech communication, announced.

Juniors Travis Smith and Alex Warren placed second after losing to Washburn University in the final round of the McKendree University Debate Tournament held earlier this month in Lebanon, Ill.

Jordan Innerarity, a senior of the University and sophomore Kinsey Martin placed fourth in the quarterfinals.
The debate team placed fifth overall in the sweepstakes points.

There were thirty-five teams from across the country that attended the tournament.

A few of the teams that the University debate team faced were Central Michigan University, DePauw University, Loyola University, Southern Illinois University, Wheaton College and William Jewell College.

“We have been working hard to be competitive on the national circuit, and these results show that we can compete and beat some of the best teams out there.

Unlike most collegiate activities, there are no conferences or division, thus teams compete against one another in an open field,” Walts said.