Two Samford University debate teams have been invited to the National Debate Tournament. They are among only 72 teams invited to the prestigious event which culminates the year for college debaters throughout the nation.
The Samford teams of Ashley Streat and Clark Bowers, and Nicholas Agnello and John Wilkerson will compete in the tournament to be held at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Wash., March 25-28.
The invitation was extended on the basis of their performance over the course of the academic year.
"This is really the apex of competitive debate," said Samford director of debate Dr. Mike Janas. "This invitation is a testament to our debate program, the quality of our students and the commitment of Samford University to be among the nation's elite universities."
During the year, Samford debaters have regularly faced competitors from such schools as Harvard University, University of Southern California and the University of Alabama.
Bowers is a sophomore political science major from Vestavia Hills.
Streat is a junior political science major from Leesburg, Ga.
Agnello is a freshman political science major from Snellville, Ga.
Wilkerson is a sophomore history major from Macon, Ga.
Bowers and Streat most recently finished fifth among 40 teams at the American Debate Association National Championships in Athens, Ga. They defeated Marquette University in the octafinal round before losing to Emory University in the quarterfinals.
Ben Coulter is Samford debate coach.