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January 28, 2005

ULM Speech Team Begins Spring Semester With Another Tournament Championship

After completing a fall semester that saw the team win 101 awards, including two tournament championships, the University of Louisiana at Monroe's Speech and Debate Forum began the spring semester with a tournament championship at Arkansas Tech University January 21-22, 2005.

Team members earned a total of 24 awards over the weekend, including 9 individual championships and the team championship. The tournament featured 15 colleges and universities representing 5 states.

The tournament featured a breakout performance by sophomore Marcus Beckwith, who completed his best tournament yet as an Indian. Beckwith earned the tournament championships in Poetry Interpretation, Program of Oral Interpretation, Prose Interpretation and the Pentathlon Competition. Team captain Isaac Henderson earned championships in Dramatic Interpretation and Debate, en route to a second place finish in the Pentathlon competition. Senior Tara Bouchie earned championships in After Dinner Speaking and Persuasive Speaking. Also earning awards for ULM were Dena Boone, Hannah Hammons, Patrizia Mangiaracina, Kina Reed and Lashonda Williams.

"This victory gives us the momentum we need heading into the state championship tournament next month. Our primary competition last year was Louisiana Tech, and the team did very well against the Bulldogs during the Arkansas Tech tournament," said Head coach Bob Alexander.

The Louisiana State Championships will be hosted by Xavier University on February 18th-20th, 2005. The ULM Speech and Debate Forum is open to any undergraduate student, and no prior experience is required. If you are interested in finding out more about the team, you are encouraged to contact Bob Alexander at 342-1462.

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