TU Debaters Show ?Em How It?s Done At WVU Mountaineer
Darren C. Goins, Director of the Speech and Debate Program, and Elizabeth Skinner, assistant director of the program took thirteen talented debaters to the 4th Annual West Virginia University Debate Tournament February 6-7th. The team took part in the unique event offered by Neil Burch and the WVU Mountaineer Debate Squad.
From its inception, Burch decided to make the tournament a free event, charging no registration fees. The trophies are donated awards from other schools that are modified with new engraving plaques. Burch and his group provided incredible hospitality, with food, juices, and soda between every round. The tournament even included a bowling tournament providing students an opportunity to unwind in the context of the tournament weekend.
Towson students Sergejs Saksonovs, Sabina Cudic, Baya Tuvshintugs, Tomekar Matthews, Shawntia Diggs, Trinya Smith, Rafal Kosmider, Chad Henson, Candice Stokes, Peguy Pierre-Louis, Kate Jones, and Normunds Pelnens represented Towson in varsity, junior, and novice divisions of competition. Each of the teams won debates and honed their skills in argumentation, cross examination, and refutation.
Towson University debaters Shawntia Diggs and Trinya Smith advanced to the octafinal round in junior varsity. Diggs and Smith defeated NYU/Coalition debaters to advance to the Quarterfinal round. In a heated debate, Diggs and Smith lost on a 2-1 decision to Cornell University.
Diggs earned the distinction of being the eight place speaker in the Junior-Varsity division against forty other students.
Also receiving a speaker award was Sergejs Saksonovs, finishing eighth in the elite field of twenty-two Varsity. ?Saksonovs is an outstanding debater in the country. Coaches from Pittsburgh, the U.S. Naval Academy, and West Virginia University pulled me aside to compliment him on his debating and team work with partner Sabina Cudic,? Goins said.
Normunds Pelnens, a first year Towson Student from Latvia, earned the distinction of being the tenth speaker in the novice division out of a field of forty eight debaters. Pelnens and partner Kate Jones completed the tournament with a winning record and were the next team out to elimination rounds.
?Each venture to tournaments keeps contributing to an extraordinary fortieth anniversary year for the team. The coaching staff and I are so proud of all of our students for representing Towson with distinction during this competitive season,? Goins said.
