Shreveport, LA — The LSU Shreveport Debate Team attended the 2023 Southern Forensics Championship Tournament, which took place Jan. 27-29 at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.  

The debate team joined over 300 students from 29 different schools across 10 states. LSUS students competed in both team and individual categories.  

The following LSUS students earned notable rankings during the tournament:  

Bailey Brown, freshman 
Quarter finalist, Novice individual debate 

Daniel Davis, senior 
Octofinalist, Individual varsity debate 
Louisiana state varsity speaking champion 

Chloe Fresne, freshman 
Octofinalist, Novice individual debate 

CJ Longino, freshman 
Quarterfinalist, Varsity team debate 
Louisiana team debate champion 

Temí Sobukola, sophomore  
Double octofinalist, Novice individual debate 

Cameron Thoel, sophomore 
Octofinalist, Novice individual debate 
Quarterfinalist, Varsity team debate 
Louisiana team debate champion 

Jewel Thomas, senior  
Semifinalist, Varsity individual debate 
Louisiana state champion debater  

Megan Veilleux, graduate student 
Louisiana state professional speaking champion  

The LSUS Debate Team collectively won the Louisiana debate sweepstakes championship. 

AJ Edwards, an instructor at LSU Shreveport, has served as the LSUS Director of Debate since 2019. “It is amazing to watch all the hard work, time, and long nights and weekends pay off for our team. As a coach, I couldn’t ask for better students and team members,” said Edwards. 

The LSUS Debate Team will next compete at the 2023 Dallas Baptist University Invitational on Feb 10-12.