By Hannah Morris
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s Speech and Debate team are marking more success after their last tournaments at East Texas Baptist University, Louisiana State University of Shreveport, Louisiana Tech and University of Arkansas, Monticello.
In their opening tournament at UAM, junior varsity members Kelsey Jordan, Alice Wilson and varsity member Hannah Morris went on to compete in their next levels of competition, called “breaking into outrounds.” Here, Jordan and Morris were octofinalists and Wilson was a semifinalist.
At Louisiana Tech, junior varsity members Wilson, Jordan, Jeffrey Swift and novice member Brandy Ranel broke into outrounds. Ranel was an octofinalist, Jordan and Swift were quarterfinalists and Wilson was a semifinalist again. Jordan also received a fifth place speaker award for her outstanding speaking prowess.
At LSU-S, novice member Ranel broke into outrounds with a 4-2 record, and went on to octofinals, marking the first outround win for her since beginning her debate career.
Finally, at ETBU, junior varsity member Wilson broke into outrounds and was a quarterfinalist. Morris won third place speaker for her high speaker points in rounds.
The team will host their own tournament, “The Festival of Lights Invitational” Nov. 17-19. Multiple teams from around the region are registered to compete and judges are needed to help with the competition. There is no experience necessary, as volunteers will be taught how to judge upon arrival at the competition.
For more information on the NSU Debate Team or to volunteer for judging, contact Dr. Davina McClain, coach, at mcclaind@nsula.edu.