The UCA Debate Team started off the 2008-09 competitive schedule with an impressive first-place sweepstakes award at the Henderson State University Warm-up Tournament.
Leading the team were first place novice division winner Kristen Qandah, a senior Accounting major, novice division semi-finalist Sam Rorie, a sophomore Economics major, varsity division semi-finalist Chris White, a sophomore Political Science major, and varsity division quarterfinalist Ashley Hale, a senior Speech and Public Relations major.
In addition to the first place finish, UCA received first place speaker awards in all three divisions with Qandah winning in novice, White winning in varsity and co-coach Anthony McMullen winning top speaker in the open division.Qandah, in only her second debate competition, entered the quarterfinals as the 8th seed and defeated the 1st send, 2nd seed and 4th seed debaters to earn her victory. Also doing well in her first collegiate debate competition was freshman Political Science major Edie Hamby with a 4