Louisiana Christian University Wildcat Debate Team made it to the final round of the novice division in the 2023 Mendoza Debate Tournament at Lee College in Baytown, Texas over the weekend.
Zavier Whiting, a senior criminal justice major from East Orange, New Jersey, came in second place, losing in a split 2-1 decision in the finals. He also placed 4th in overall speaker points in the novice division.
Daniel Wilkerson, a sophomore applied biology major with a minor in communication studies, from Bastrop, made it to the quarterfinals of the novice division.
This year’s Mendoza Debates included about 140 debaters across the three divisions of novice, junior varsity and varsity, and it was the largest in tournament history.
Wildcat Debate Coach Brian Manuel said he is proud of the team’s showing at the tournament. LCU fielded 12 competitors at this event.
“This is usually our first tournament every year and gives our experienced debaters an opportunity to get their feet wet,” Manuel said. “Our students did well and supported each other in preparation for the rounds and in competition.”
Wildcat Debate’s next tournament will be the LSUS Red River Swing Tournament Nov. 3-5.
