MonticelloLive

The University of Arkansas at Monticello debate and forensics team broke the single tournament scoring record for the International Public Debate Association (IPDA) at a tournament held at Henderson State University on February 23-24.             
            While capturing the sweepstakes competition as well as 20 individual awards, UAM scored 111 points to shatter the previous IPDA record of 79 points. 
            UAM students competed in the novice, varsity, and open debate divisions. In the novice division UAM students won the top four spots.  Josh Smith, a junior from McGehee, Chip Davis, a freshman from Bentonville, Zach Baumgarten, a senior from Monticello, and Hunter Gillum, a freshman from Monticello, each advanced to the elimination bracket and won their first two rounds, closing the division out at the final four.  By tournament rule, the competition was ended and all four UAM students were declared co-champions.  Gillum, Smith and Davis captured second, third and fourth respectively as individual speakers.
            In the varsity debate division, four UAM students made the elimination rounds.  Kate Kelley, a sophomore from Monticello, and Joel Brown, a senior from Monticello, met in the quarterfinals with Brown advancing. Brooke Flemister, a senior from Monticello, finished as a quarterfinalist.  Brown and Lauren Raynor, a senior from Covington Tenn., each made it to the finals round, once again closing out the division to be declared co-champions. Brown received third place as an individual speaker.
            In the open division, UAM advanced four competitors and due to the small size of the division, no elimination rounds were held and all four competitors were declared co-champions.  Chris Halley of Little Rock, Brian Rauls of Bearden, and Keith Milstead of Shreveport La., won first, second and third place speaker awards. Chris Roan of Crossett was the fourth competitor in the open division.
            Also contributing to the team effort were Justin Banks, a junior from Warren, Laura Ramos, a freshman from Crossett, Jason Bailey, a senior from El Dorado, Nicci Norton, a junior from Woodlawn, and Ashley Williamson, a senior from Monticello.