SHREVEPORT – The LSUS debate team ranked as the top squad in Louisiana this past weekend at the Southern Forensics Championships held on the LSUS campus.
The Pilots finished third overall in a 27-team field that included seven Louisiana teams.
Notable competitors included LSU A&M, Louisiana Tech, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Union (Tenn.), Abilene Christian (Texas), Dallas Baptist, Southern Mississippi and a handful of competitors from Notre Dame.
LSUS boasted state champions Addison Jacobsen (novice division), Cameron Thoele (varsity champion as a speaker) and team champions in Thoele and CJ Longino, where Longino was also named the first-place speaker overall.
Mississippi State and Union were top two teams in the event.
“The Southern Forensics Championships is the second biggest tournament of the year only behind the national championships on our schedule,” said LSUS debate coach A.J. Edwards. “To be Louisiana debate champions is amazing, and it’s validation for us that our hard work is paying off.
“Our students have put in more time than I have any right to ask for, yet somehow they keep putting in extra practice time.”
In the team debate category, Longino was named the first-place speaker and reached the semifinals along with partner Thoele. Thoele was named the fourth-place speaker.
Jacobsen placed second overall in the novice division with teammates Heidi Tyler and Micah Robinson reaching the octofinals.
In junior varsity, Bailey Brown reached the quarterfinals with Chloe Fresne making the octofinals.
Three LSUS varsity debaters reached the quarterfinals in Jordan Guillot, Longino, and Thoele. Thoele was named third-place speaker (and state champion) in the division with Longino taking fifth-place honors.
Megan Veilleux advanced to the semifinals in the professional division.
More than 250 debaters, coaches and judges descended on the LSUS campus, and Edwards thanked university staff and his team for helping host the event.
“Hosting a tournament like this doesn’t happen without the support of the entire university,” Edwards said. “From event management to the chairs and deans that found us rooms to use to the faculty/staff that judged rounds, the support LSUS has for debate and these events are unmatched.
“A special thanks to the custodial staff that kept the rooms and buildings in great shape. We are lucky and grateful to have everyone in our corner.”
LSUS debaters arrived early to prepare the rooms and help clean up at the end of each day, adding extra tasks than just worrying about their arguments.
“It’s very difficult to host a tournament like this and compete at the same time,” Edwards said. “While other schools get to debate and head back to the hotel, our students came early and stayed late to help us.
“It’s no small feat, but they embraced the challenge.”
