Valdosta State University's debate team excels in recentcompetition

The Valdosta State University Forensics Team took home ten varsity and novice wins in a speech and debate competition at Louisiana State University in Shreveport on November 11-13, 2005.

Students competed against more than 200 students, representing 30 different universities. Dr. Mike Eaves, debate team coach and professor in VSU's Communication Arts department, said the recent competition was their most successful tournament in almost ten years.

In the individual events, Lindsey Herring and Kim Colon placed in the Pentah Awards, given only to students who competed in five or more public speaking events. Herring finished second place overall and Colon placed fifth overall.

Shannon Yerkic was the first place debate speaker of a total of 46 debaters. Other debaters were LaTaschka Applewhite, Rita Hughes, and Lindsey Herring.

The Forensics Team has successfully competed at both the regional and national level. In 2000, they debated with Harvard University and won the West Georgia policy debate tourney in junior-varsity. Other accolades include defeating more than 50 Division I debate programs and securing over 200 debate victories in just over a decade.

For more information on VSU's debate team, contact Eaves at 259-5116 or visit their webpage at http://www.valdosta.edu/comarts/debate.html .