Subscribe to LSUWire
Send this to a friend
| Subscribe to LSUWire
|
|
Send this to a friend
|
| BATON ROUGE – Schools from across the Southeast gathered in Baton Rouge this past weekend to compete in the LSU Speech and Debate Team’s annual Mardi Gras Classic Speech & Debate Tournament. Eighteen schools participated in the event, which allowed time for competitors to take in some of the area’s special Mardi Gras festivities. The weekend also included a separate tournament held immediately after the Mardi Gras Classic tournament hosted in conjunction with the LSU Speech & Debate Alumni Association. William Carey College took first place sweepstakes in both the Mardi Gras Classic tournament and the alumni sponsored tournament. The University of Alabama won second in the Mardi Gras Classic tournament and third in the alumni sponsored tournament. McNeese State University placed third in the Mardi Gras Classic tournament and second in the alumni sponsored tournament. In the Mardi Gras Classic, Union University took first place in the debate sweepstakes, followed by Arkansas State University in second place and the University of Arkansas in third. Adam Key, the coach of the debate team at Sam Houston State University, has been involved in speech and debate tournaments for the past decade. “The Mardi Gras Classic stands out as one of the best tournament experiences I’ve had, hands down,” Key said. More than 100 students competed in the two tournaments, with judging and tournament management by volunteers from the LSU and Baton Rouge communities. LSU Speech and Debate Director Mike Applin said he was grateful for the enthusiastic response from competitors and from volunteers. “So many people went out of their way to make sure these tournaments were a success,” he said. “They are the best possible example of the generosity of our campus and our city. The participants felt welcomed and thoroughly enjoyed both the challenge of competition and the fun Mardi Gras atmosphere.” Karron Alford of the Baton Rouge Area Convention & Visitors Bureau said events like the Mardi Gras Classic/Alumni Swing tournament have an economic impact on the Baton Rouge area because the teams stay at local hotels and eat at many of the area’s restaurants. LSU finished first in the debate sweepstakes but as host of the two tournaments, LSU does not accept sweepstakes awards. “Our team did great in the debate competition.” said Chas Womelsdorf, assistant director and coach of LSU Speech and Debate. “We also took 21 of the top three places in the 22 individual events and finished first in nine of those events in the two tournaments. I’m very proud of how hard the team prepared and how well they did.” LSU students winning awards in the debate categories included:
LSU students winning awards in the Individual Events categories included:
“The LSU Speech and Debate Team represents the university at national and regional competitions every year, demonstrating that the vigor of our intellectual pursuits matches that of the athletic pursuits for which the university is better known,” Applin said. For additional information, contact, at mapplin@lsu.edu or call 225-578-6895 or 225-978-0493. -30- |
 |  |  |
|