The VSU Debate Team competed this past weekend, Sept 18-20 in the University of Central Florida Knights Joust. Despite the fact that this is typically a small regional meet, since the event was held virtually, the tournament became transformed into a national meet. Fielding more than 15 colleges and universities from North Dakota, Simpson (Iowa), Hofstra (New York), Webster (St Louis), and many other regional powers including University of Florida, University of Alabama, Florida State University and the tournament host.
VSU placed second overall in the junior-varsity division, losing in the championship round to national power Simpson College (Iowa). Vanessa Okojie was the finalist for VSU, a sophomore who started the way she ended last season, winning. Other notables from our squad included Yeutende Oluwadare (quarter finalist and third speaker) and Josh Julian (sixth speaker). While this was our first ever virtual tournament, it was a great success. Jonathan Bridenbaker (Asst. Coach) and Dr. Michael Eaves (Coach) led the VSU Blazer Debate into victory and we never left campus (we competed from our computers in the Communication Arts Building while wearing masks and maintaining social distancing).