MonticelloLive

UAM News Desk — The speech and debate team at the University of Arkansas at Monticello won 23 awards and the overall championship at the Swing Tournament at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, September 28 through October 1.

The Swing Tournament consisted of two tournaments in the same weekend – the OBU Ouachita Warm-up and SFA Debate Tournament. Due to a scheduling conflict at Ouachita Baptist University, SFA hosted both tournaments.
At the OBU tournament, the UAM squad earned second place overall. In the varsity division Joel Brown of Monticello and Brian Rauls of Bearden advanced to the quarterfinals. Chris Halley of North Little Rock won a fifth place speaker award.
In the novice division, Colt Roan of Crossett placed first and won a first place speaker award. Shiann Ryals of Dardanelle reached the semifinals and won a fourth place speaker award. Nicci Norton of Woodlawn reached the quarterfinals.
UAM took first place overall at the SFA Tournament. Rauls placed second and won a fourth place speaker award. Brown advanced to the semifinals and Tim Williamson of Grove Hill, Ala., reached the quarterfinals. Lori Andrews of DeValls Bluff brought home an award for being the outstanding judge for the tournament.
Roan captured the novice division of the SFA tournament and won the first place speaker award. Ryals advanced to the semifinals and Norton to the quarterfinals. Norton also won a second place speaker award.
In the open division of the SFA tournament, Whitney Romans of Crossett placed second and Lauren Raynor of Covington, Tenn., won a fifth place speaker award.
Also contributing to the winning effort where Jon Craven, Brooke Flemister and Kate Kelley of Monticello. Scott Kuttenkuler, director of forensics, and Jim Evans coach the team.
According to Kuttenkuler, this tournament “is a reflection of the hard work and commitment that really defines this year’s team. Each member did their part to win this tournament and though we still have a long competitive season ahead of us, we believe that we can remain a force for the duration of the year.”
The team will host the “Weevil Wars Debate Tournament” in the UAM Library on October 14-15.

According to Wikipedia, “…the speech and debate programs [at UAM] are nationally recognized. The Program was founded by Mr. R. David Ray in 1973 and is currently under the leadership of Scott Kuttenkuler. The UAM debate team is a member of the International Public Debate Association. This year the program won third place in the Founder’s Cup, an award presented to the top overall programs in IPDA. The students also continue to win many awards and achieve the degrees of highest distinction in Pi Kappa Delta, the national speech forensics honor society. Pi Kappa Delta is one of the sponsors for the National Forensics League, which seeks to train young adults for leadership.