Towson University Speech and Debate - Debate team advances at Georgia State University Debates

Towson University Debaters Advance at Georgia State University Debates

9/25/06

Deven Cooper, Dayvon Love, Camelia Hostinar, Simonida Subotic, Tamas Bako and Barbora Ondruskova traveled to Atlanta, GA for the Georgia State University Debates.

The junior varsity team of Bako (second year International Debate Scholar from Romania) and Ondruskova (third year International Debate Scholar from Slovakia) finished the preliminary competition with a 4-2 record. They competed against teams from Emory University, Case Western University, Samford, James Madison and University of Miami. They advanced to quarterfinals and represented Towson well in a fiery debate against Samford University. The decision was a 2-1 in favor of Samford.

"We beat three teams from Emory University in prelims," Bako said. "Not bad for two debaters from Eastern Europe."

Their affirmative advocacy focuses on the supreme court decision Ex Parte Qurin and pushes for rights of international citizens in the United States judicial system and within the debate community. They are part of a move in Towson debate to make the political personal and ultimately make debate more than just a competitive experience.

Deven Cooper (junior) and Dayvon Love (second year Urban Debate League scholar), both from Baltimore, finished the preliminary competition in the open divison with a winning record of 5-3. They missed clearing to the elimination rounds by one speaker point.

Their advocacy centers around reversing the institutional and attitudinal racism in the U.S. educational system and in the debate community.

"Cooper and Love finished the tournament with an outstanding record in comparison to teams in our district," Beth Skinner, Assistant Director of the Program said. "Their success in the highly competitive open division at this event speaks well of a great season for them in the future."

Hostinar (third year International Debate Scholar from Romania) and Subotic (third year International Debate Scholar from Montenegro) finished the prelims having won three debates.

The performance of our students at this weekends event and in West Virginia suggest that the 2006-2007 season will be a strong one for the Towson University Talking Tigers.