LSUS Debate claims third overall in season-opening tournament

LSUS Debate claims third overall in season-opening tournament

SHREVEPORT - Experience is valuable, no matter the arena of competition in which one participates.

A more experienced LSUS Debate team started its season with a third-place finish at the Mendoza Debates at Lee College in Baytown, Texas, this past weekend.

The Pilots logged a second-place showing the team sweepstakes and a third-place finish in the individual sweepstakes.

"I couldn't be more proud of the team and how they came together over the weekend," said LSUS debate coach A.J. Edwards. "They worked well together to achieve the common goal of the team.

"All three of our Team IPDA teams made it to the elimination rounds. Our novice debaters settled in nicely, and by the end of the tournament, you could see them relax and get into the swing of things. There's always room for improvement, and we'll constantly learn and improve."

Cameron Thoele claimed first place in the varsity division as a debater and a speaker. Thoele is coming off a team debate national championship with partner CJ Longino, who also returns to the LSUS squad this season.

Longino was an octofinalist this past weekend in the varsity division while the pair teamed up for a semifinalist finish in the team portion.

LSUS's strong showing in the team portion was also underpinned by two other pairs reaching the elimination rounds. Addison Jacobsen/Emily Dowd and Jordan Guillot/Micah Robinson advanced to the elimination rounds of their respective divisions.

"We are one of the more experienced teams on the circuit now," said Edwards, who guided the Pilots to a third-place national finish this past season. "We have been fortunate to retain most of our team members over the past few years, and we're also fortunate to have an incredible influx of new students.

"Along with our veteran members, we have one of the most prominent novice groups in the country. It's exciting to have a good blend of new and experienced debaters, and this was a great start to a long season. The veterans pass lessons learned from experience to our new debaters who are finding their way, and they have been a great source of information and are passing along our team culture."

At the individual level, six debaters advanced to the elimination rounds.

Robinson, Down and Jacobsen accomplished that goal at the junior varsity level with Thoele, Guillot and Longino doing so in the varsity ranks.

Edwards added that eight novice debaters competed at Lee College with three more who couldn't compete, meaning LSUS is molding its next generation of debaters.