Archived News | Return to News Center

October 7, 2004

ULM Speech Team Defeats UL-Lafayette and McNeese

The University of Louisiana at Monroe's Speech and Debate Forum completed its first-ever appearance at the Texas State University Invitational Speech Tournament by besting in-state rivals University of Louisiana-Lafayette and McNeese State University with a team score of 20 to 14 and 7 respectively.

ULM's performance earned an overall fifth place finish at the competition that featured 14 colleges and universities from five states. The tournament, hosted by Texas State University¬ San Marcos, was in San Marcos, Texas, Sept. 24-25.

Team captain Isaac Henderson, who finished second in Dramatic Interpretation, seventh in Impromptu Speaking, and won the tournament championship in Program of Oral Interpretation, led the ULM team.

Returning senior Tara Bouchie finished fifth in After Dinner Speaking. The tournament also marked the debut for Marcus Beckwith, who transferred from McNeese to compete for ULM, and ULM sophomore Dena Boone.

ULM head coach Bob Alexander said, "This weekend provided us with the opportunity to really evaluate where we stand relative to our peers."

"Our students individually scored higher per student than any other program at the competition, but we finished fifth overall simply because we were under staffed," Alexander said. "Based upon this weekend's performance, once we are at full strength in the coming weeks, ULM will be one of the top programs in the country."

Alexander said the team is working hard now preparing for the national championships. The team's next competition is the Drury University tournament on Oct. 9.

ULM's team will host the regions' finest teams at the annual R.J. Bicker Speech and Debate Tournament Oct. 29-31.

The ULM Speech and Debate Forum is open to any undergraduate student. No prior experience is required. If you are interested in finding out more about the team, call Bob Alexander at 342-1462.

PLEASE NOTE: Some links and e-mail addresses in these archived news stories may no longer work, and some content may include events which are no longer relevent, or reference individuals and/or organizations no longer associated with ULM.