Samford University varsity team debaters Sarah Emerson and Moriah Windus took second place at the District 6/SEC Regional Tournament in mid-February, defeating teams from the University of Georgia, Wake Forest University and Emory University. “This exceptional performance sets us up well for the national tournaments to close the season,” said assistant director of debate Lee Quinn.

Junior varsity debaters Kiarra Broadnax and Alyssa Gregory defeated teams from the University of Louisville and the University of Central Florida. Broadnax was named JV debater of the year, and Gregory won novice debater of the year as well as taking third speaker in junior varsity  competition. “The success of our younger debaters sets Samford’s program up for a long future of excellence,” commented director of debate Ryan Galloway. 

The novice Samford duo of Max Willinger and Aliah Ojendyk defeated teams from the University of Georgia, Emory University and the University of Miami, and Willinger was named fifth novice speaker. 

Samford’s debaters will next compete at the American Debate Association national tournament on March 8, and eagerly await the national committee’s March 4 decision on whether Emerson and Windus will advance to the National Debate Tournament in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “Given that Windus is a junior and Emerson is a freshman, there are many bright days ahead for Samford debate,” said Quinn.