Published on January 9, 2023 by Ryan Galloway  
(Courtesy: Samford Debate)
(Courtesy: Samford Debate)

 At the Georgetown University  debate tournament held January 5-8, 2023, the Samford Junior Varsity Debate team of Abby Montgomery and Grace Scott placed second, defeating teams from the University of Texas San Antonio, Rochester University and the University of Georgia.  Montgomery was named tenth speaker of the tournament.

Director of Debate Lee Quinn said, “while most students were at home celebrating the holidays over the winter break, our students were succeeding at one of the most intellectually intense activities one can participate in.  I am proud of our debate students.” 

The varsity team of Joey Tarnowski and Aaron Gill also participated in the tournament, defeating teams from Harvard, Missouri State and the University of Kentucky. 

“Our debaters compete and defeat some of the best teams in the nation," Executive Director of Debate Ryan Galloway said. "Samford has a proud tradition of excellence in debate that today’s teams are continuing.” 

The varsity team of Grace Blackwell and TJ Riggs also competed, defeating Trinity University, Oakton Community College and the United States Naval Academy.

The team hosts high school teams from around the country this weekend at Samford University’s Bishop Guild debate tournament, before competing at the Indiana University debate tournament in two weeks.

Learn more about Samford Debate. 

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.