Date:
1/27/2003
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
Reporter: Dr. Anthony B. Schroeder
PORTALES – When most Eastern New Mexico University students went home for winter break, the ENMU debaters traveled across the country competing in tournaments. These dedicated 'Hounds started off on the right foot at the first of the two swing tournaments in Kansas City. Lawrence Williams and Mick Souders went 4-3 at the William Jewell portion of the tournament.
They lost a close partial double octo-final round to the University of Florida. Darrick Matthews and Sam Strain competed in the junior varsity division and went 4-3 and lost in double octos to the University of Texas - Austin. In preliminary rounds they defeated teams from Baylor University and two Wake Forrest University teams, both universities are known for their extreme talent in the event.
At the University of Missouri Kansas City tournament Sam and Darrick went 5-3 in preliminary debate rounds earning them a spot in out-rounds where they defeated a Johnson County debate team only to lose in the quarterfinals to the University of Kansas.
Lawrence Williams and Mick Souders traveled to Ogden, Utah for the Weber State University Round Robin tournament. Their record was 2-4, with Mick Souders winning the sixth speaker of the tournament.
At the Great Salt Lake Tournament hosted by the University of Utah, they went 4-2 in preliminary competition. In semi-finals they defeated Weber State University on a 3-0 decision. In finals they lost a close 2-1 decision to Idaho State. Along the way to their second place victory they beat the following schools: University of Wyoming, Southern Utah University, and Western Washington. According to John Hansen and John Foy graduate teaching assistants for forensics "the debate team is off to a phenomenal start for the new year."
ENMU ranked third in the Rocky Mountain Region and 53rd nationally. The Debate and Forensics Program is under the direction of Professor Anthony B. Schroeder.