Several Belmont University students did exceptionally well in intercollegiate debate competition. The Belmont University Speech & Debate Team was named the Division II National Champion at the NCCFI National Tournament in San Diego, March 14-16.
With a mere twelve entries, the team placed 8th in Division I, beating out schools with 50+ entries. The tournament boasted more than 75 Parliamentary Debate teams and 500+Individual Events entries.
In individual student achievements:
Chasity Gunn was tournament champion in novice prose and won 3rd place in novice persuasion in Individual Events at the NCCFI National Tournament.
Casey Fincher, was an octofinalist in junior varsity debate in the novice division.
Jonathan Guenther, was an octofinalist in the novice division and was named 10th place novice speaker overall.
Joy Hawkins, finished 3rd in open persuasion and 4th in open duo.
Laura Stewart was a quarterfinalist in junior varsity debate and was also named 7th place speaker overall.
Aketa Simmons was a quarterfinalist in junior varsity debate and was named 2nd place speaker overall.
Crystal Jones won 6th place in open poetry.
Natonya Blackmun won 4th in open prose and 6th in communication analysis.
Though one of the smallest teams at the tournament, Belmont placed in the top 10 overall and was tournament champion in the small schools division. With their season finished, the team will host an Oratory Slam for area high schools and a debate convocation program for students on Belmont
