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Nov. 11, 2005

ULM Debate Team Wins in Arkansas

The University of Louisiana at Monroe's Speech and Debate Forum began its 2005-2006 season with a tournament victory at the University of Arkansas-Monticello Invitational Debate Tournament. ULM's performance was capped when mass communications junior Marcus Beckwith earned a unanimous decision over in-state rival Louisiana Tech's representative in the championship round of the tournament competition. The tournament, hosted by the University of Arkansas at Monticello, was held in Monticello, Ark., on October 8-9 and featured more than 100 students representing eleven universities from four states.

The team was led by Marcus Beckwith, who earned honors as the 4th ranked speaker in the tournament preliminary rounds as well as the tournament championship. Dena Boone finished as the 5th ranked speaker in preliminary rounds and advanced to the semi-final round of competition. Hannah Hammons and Amy Wilson each advanced to the octo-final rounds of the tournament.

Head coach Bob Alexander said "This team continues to amaze me. Once again, we were significantly out-numbered by the quantity of students that other universities sent to the competition, but our group didn't let that intimidate them, and the result was another tournament championship. I think this sets the tone for our season. We lost a few key members of the team to graduation last year, but the returning students have stepped in to fill the gaps, and our new team members are progressing rapidly. This is truly a combination of unique and talented individuals."

The team will now prepare for competition at the University of Houston, LSU-Shreveport, and Mississippi College to continue the fall semester of competition.

The ULM Speech and Debate Forum is open to any student, and no prior experience is required. For more information, please contact Bob Alexander at 318-342-1462.

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