UCA Debate and Forensics concluded its 2020-21 season by competing at the IPDA National Championship on April 9-11. Members of the team include seniors David Lee, Greta Hacker, Lauren McHenry, and Eli Stroud; junior Adam Cox; and sophomores Jayce Burney, Sian Fox, Aurora King, and C.J. Parrish. Additional support was provided by Nicole Vincent, Gavin Mattox, and Isaiah Williams. The team is coached by Associate Professor of Business Law and Director of Forensics Anthony McMullen.
At the Championship, Varsity debaters Lee and Parrish both reached the elimination rounds with a 6-2 preliminary round record. Both were eliminated in the octafinals. Varsity debater Burney barely missed the elimination rounds with a 4-4 record. In addition, at the Team IPDA portion of the event, which took place March 27-28, the team of Burney and Parrish reached the quarterfinal round.
For the season, UCA Debate and Forensics finished sixth in the Varsity division and eighth and the Team IPDA division. The team of Burney and Parrish finished ninth in the Team IPDA division. Burney finished tied for 15th in the Varsity division. Lee finished in 19th place, and Parrish, Hacker, and McHenry all placed within the top 30 competitors in the division.
These accolades are in addition to those earned through the semester. Most prominent is UCA Debate and Forensics repeating as Arkansas State Champion at the Southern Forensics Championship last January. Cox was the Arkansas Champion and overall tournament runner-up in the Varsity IPDA division. Burney was a varsity IPDA semifinalist and took second in the individual overall sweepstakes. Parrish was recognized as the top Arkansas speaker in the Varsity IPDA division, the Arkansas Champion in impromptu speaking, and placed third in the individual overall sweepstakes. Lee was the Arkansas Champion in extemporaneous speaking and poetry interpretation.
The team will be having its final meeting of the semester on Monday, April 19 to discuss plans for next year. While the team appreciated having a virtual forum to compete this year, it looks forward to returning to travel in the 2021-22 season. The goal will be to travel to at least four events each semester, concluding with the 2022 IPDA National Championship, which will be hosted by Abilene Christian University. Those interested in joining the team should contact any member of team or Director McMullen at AMcMullen@uca.edu.